Morrowind:Orvas Dren

Orvas Dren, a Dark Elf warrior, is the younger brother of Vedam Dren, the Duke of Ebonheart. Orvas lives in Dren's villa on his own plantation, north of Vivec and east of Pelagiad. Although without formal position in House Hlaalu, he is highly influential behind the scenes. Orvas is a wealthy criminal and the Kingpin of the Camonna Tong, dealing in skooma and moon sugar. He owns a large contingent of slaves on his plantation and plays an important part in the Main Quest and the final House Hlaalu quest.

Orvas must be dealt with to obtain the rank of Grandmaster in House Hlaalu, as it is highly doubtful that he will support an outlander for the position; he also has two of the councilors, Velanda Omani and Nevena Ules, in his pocket. Dren has allied himself and the Camonna Tong with the Sixth House and Dagoth Ur, as he states during the main quest if you opt to explain that you are trying to save Vvardenfell from Dagoth. As he sees it, the days of the Empire are numbered and its influence on Morrowind is waning. Somewhat ruthless, Orvas would not shy away from murdering his own brother, the Duke, as seen in his note. He is rumored to be nursing resentment of the Occupation and waiting for the right moment to create an insurrection against the Imperials should a crisis occur - like the one centered around the Septim succession. He is also rumored to be conducting a crackdown on the escaped slaves, even hiring bounty hunters to track down any who would help them.

He is wearing a near full set of Orcish armor including the cuirass, both pauldrons, both bracers, greaves, and boots. He is wielding an ebony spear and he is carrying his key and around 500 drakes. Aside from his natural resistance to fire and the sanctuary provided by his ancestors, he knows no spells.

 
Related Quests
Main Quest

House Hlaalu


Quest-Related Events
Hlaalu Hortator
In order to be named Hortator of House Hlaalu, you will either need to convince Orvas Dren to support you or resort to less peaceful means:
Hlaalu Hortator
''"So you want to be Hortator of House Hlaalu. And you've come to me. You show unusual wisdom for an outlander. But what's the title of Hortator worth to you? Why do you want to be Hortator?"
Tel your story and ask to be confirmed as Hortator.
[Disposition -10.] "That's the worst story I've ever heard. What makes you think I care about these prophecies? If you're the chosen one, why do you have to come to me? Why aren't you Hortator already, eh? I believe you have wasted enough of my time. Goodbye."  

"I have long believed it was a mistake to turn from the old gods. Perhaps Azura is with you after all. And perhaps not. I will tell you that I've spoken with Dagoth Ur. He promised me the same thing. That he will drive the foreigners from our lands. But I am not one to ignore opportunity, nor am I one to be troubled by rubbing two sides of a coin. If you are a %PCRace of your word, I am your ally. I will tell Velanda Omani and Nevena Ules to support you as Hortator of House Hlaalu."
To defeat Dagoth Ur and bring peace to Morrowind.
[Disposition -50.] "You want peace? Like the peace of the grave we've had since the Tribunal betrayed us and signed the Armistice? Dagoth Ur has made me a better offer. The Sixth House will rise again and crush the Empire and those smug hypocrites in the Tribunal. But enough talk. I know you now as my enemy, and you must die with the rest of the foreign devils."  

"So you've been putting your nose in places it's not meant to be, eh? I see how it is. If the title of Hortator is all you want, you're welcome to it. It won't cost me anything at all. I'll make sure Nevena Ules and Velanda Omani understand exactly where we stand."
Nevermind.
"Well, what do you want, then?"
Dealing with Orvas Dren
If you have already become the Hortator of House Hlaalu, convincing Orvas Dren to support you is as easy as mentioning the relevant conversation topic to him:
Camonna Tong
"We have already come to an agreement... Or have you forgotten how I agreed to support you for Hortator?"

Else, you will either have to raise his disposition sufficiently high or blackmail him:
Camonna Tong
"So you've come to bargain, have you? What have you got?"
Together House Hlaalu and the Camonna Tong will both prosper.
[Disposition < 80.] "You make a good argument, but the truth is that I don't like you or trust you. How could I know that you would understand how our business operates? Or that you would work towards a Morrowind free of Imperial rule?"
[Disposition ≥ 80. Disposition +10.] "I have heard of you, of course. I believe we could work together. Yes, the more I consider the possibilities, the more I believe we would make excellent partners."''

[Disposition +10.]"Yes, I see what you mean. I respect your methods, %PCRace. Until I learn something equally interesting about you, I would be willing to work together."
Nothing... yet.
''"Come back when you're ready to make an offer."

If you mention the same topic after he has agreed to cooperate with you, he says:
Camonna Tong
"We have a deal, friend."
Writ for Navil and Ranes Ienith
If you speak with Orvas Dren during this quest after you have killed his henchmen Navil and Ranes Ienith, he will turn hostile towards you:
"Killing my best men was a mistake, %PCName."''  

Notes
Orvas is also depicted in Legends.
If you attack Orvas or he notices you stealing, he will attack you and Ranes Ienith will teleport nearby to assist him.
A successful intimidation will have him respond: "No %PCRace can intimidate me!". This will force you to end dialogue and give Orvas a fight value of 100, practically guaranteeing he will turn hostile.