Online:Bernt the Brittle

Bernt the Brittle is a Nord found at The Everfull Flagon and the father of Nelhilda. He is curiously unaffected by the Special Blend mead and can only watch as his friends and neighbors succumb to the cravings or die to the creatures outside. 

Later, he will admit that he is the original owner of the tavern and that he inadvertently made a deal with the Daedra to saving his floundering business. It was not until later he realized what he had done. Depending on the decisions made, he can later be found within The Shining Star in the Hollow City.
 

Related Quests


Dialogue
Special Blend
After reading Gamirth's letter, you will enter the inn to find someone to ask about it. Many of the patrons will point you towards Bernt, who is sitting on bench near the door. As you talk with him you will notice that he speaks oddly.
:''"A new face! That's a rare occurrence. Welcome to the Everfull Flagon, friend!"
:Did you know Gamirth? I found his body and a love letter he wrote.
:"The Everfull Flagon has the finest mead!  Don't drink the mead. Gamirth is dead? He was my daughter, Nelhilda's, mate. Her true love. I suspect the contents of that letter will break her heart—if she's sober."
:What did you say about the mead?
:"You must try our Special Blend. Do you like to celebrate? Everyone here is always celebrating something! Nelhilda and Gamirth were working to find a way to end this madness. Go upstairs and talk to Nelhilda. She has a plan."
:I'll talk to Nelhilda.

Before you find Nelhilda, you can ask him questions about the tavern and the situation there.
:"Yes, indeed. Everything is fine here at the Flagon. Plenty of mead, plenty of happy Nords!"
:Can I ask some more questions?
:"Can you have another mead? Of course you can! Very well, ask what you will. But be quick about it. We don't want to attract any undue attention."
::Why are you talking like that?
:::"I'm trying not to arouse any suspicion. The Thane is always watching, listening. We must put on a good show. The celebrating has been going on for a long, long time. Who would've thought that an endless supply of mead could become such a curse?"
::Does anyone ever leave the tavern?
::"The mead's in here, so no, not many. Besides, those creatures out there aren't very friendly. And some of them were once our friends and neighbors. One day, though, Gamirth had had enough. Even his love for my daughter couldn't keep him here."
:::I'm not sure I understand what's going on here.
:::"Haven't you ever seen the results of a Daedric bargain before? Now, please. Go upstairs and talk to my daughter, Nelhilda. She has a plan to save us all. And with your help, maybe this time it will even succeed."

After you have spoken with his daughter.
:"Did you speak to Nelhilda? Smart lass, my daughter. Very smart."
:Can I ask some more questions?''' (Repeats from above)

Once you have collected the Kyne's Tears, you can ask Bernt why he doesn't seem as affected by the mead.
:"My poor Nelhilda. She hurts so much, but she refuses to drink more mead. Says she needs her head to be clear. I hope you found those flowers she went on and on about."
::Can I ask some more questions? (Repeats from above)
::'''Why doesn't the mead affect you?
::"I wish I knew. Never developed a taste for the stuff, I guess. But I see my daughter struggle against the craving. She remembers things. Grieves for her beloved Gamirth. Some of the others try to resist at times, but then they go back to the mead."
:::The Thane doesn't seem affected by the mead, either.
::::"No. He's a strong one, the Thane. But he loves to celebrate. Keeps the party going day and night. It never really ends."
:::I've got the flowers Nelhilda asked for.
::::"Good job! She's a brilliant woman. Studied alchemy before we wound up here. She's good at patching up patrons and dealing with sick villagers. Hurry, now. Take the flowers to her before the mead draws her back in."

After Nelhilda has brewed her purifying potion, Bernt will sound desperate to hear some good news.
:"Did Nelhilda tell you the plan? Did she make something to help us. Oh, tell me that this doomed celebration is finally coming to an end!"'
:Can I ask some more questions? (Repeats from above)

Once you have added the potion to the Special Blend casks, you can talk with Bernt for an idea of what to do next. He will break and admit that it is his fault that his friends and neighbors are trapped in the tavern.
:"My Nelhilda would thank you if she could.  Oh, this is all my fault! I was just trying to save my failing business. Now look at us. These people used to respect me. I used to help them."
:What happened?
:''"I made a bargain, but I was tricked. I realized too late that the mage who promised to help me was likely a Daedric Prince!   After that, the Flagon slipped into Coldharbour and we've been trapped here ever since."
:Your daughter is trying to end the enchantment.
:"It used to be me that people turned to for help. When Hautt showed promise, I bought him a lute. When Hridi won a contest, I gave her dueling daggers. Nelhilda has gotten things rolling with your help. I want to help her, help my friends."
:What do you want me to do?
:"Hautt and Hridi were admired in our village. If the enchantment is wearing off, they'll help me rally the others. It would help if Hautt had his lute and Hridi had her silver daggers.  We can continue what Nelhilda has begun."
:I'll see what I can do.

:Bernt the Brittle: "Talk to Hautt and Hridi. Perhaps they remember where they hid the lute and daggers."

If you speak with him again he will say, "I want to be the Nord I used to be. I want to help my friends remember who they really are."

When you come back with the lute and daggers, you will learn that the Thane struck Bernt and watch as the patrons confront him. Fellrig will reveal himself to be the Dremora that cursed the tavern and took their souls. Bernt will be upstairs though relatively unharmed, he will be more excited by the fact that his friends are beginning to snap out of the fugue.
:"Did you see? The villagers. They're starting to remember. The Thane threatened my daughter and I actually stood up to him. Of course, he knocked me down, but still. We're returning to our old selves!"
:I found the lute and the dueling daggers.
:"I'll return these to Hridi and Hautt. Ask them to help keep people's spirits up. During my confrontation with the Thane, he said he holds our souls. He laughed at me. Said how amusing it was to see me agonize over my friends as they waste away."
:Where would he keep your souls?
:"I think he keeps the souls nearby. He always comes and goes as he pleases. If you could destroy the Thane, our souls might return to us. Then we could leave this place. I think his lair is in one of the nice houses near the old well."
:I'll take care of the Thane.
:"I appreciate your help. I need to make this right. For Nelhilda. For Gamirth. For my friends."

Before you leave you can ask some follow up questions.
:"I pray that this curse will soon be lifted."
:Can I ask a few questions?
:"Of course, my friend. I'll answer whatever I can."
::Do you know who the Thane is?
:::"I realize now that he's likely the Daedric Prince who offered me this deal. Or maybe his minion. Yes, that seems more likely. You must believe me. I thought this was between him and me. I never meant to hurt my friends in order to save the Flagon."
::Will you tell the villagers how this happened?
:::"I'm not sure. I've kept this secret for so long, watching my friends waste away and give up hope. They'd hate me for what I've done. And rightfully so. And Nelhilda. She would never forgive me."
::What happens after you get your souls back?
:::"I've heard whispers of a nearby city. They say it's a safe haven. I'll try to convince everyone to travel there with me. Even if we can't return to our world, I would feel better knowing that Nelhilda and the others were safe."

After you have killed Thane Fellrig and freed their souls, you can return to Bernt with the news. He will have already noticed a difference.
:"I don't know what you did, but something changed! Everyone can feel it."
:I defeated the Thane and freed your souls.
:"Then the curse is broken at last."
:Shouldn't you tell the villagers what really happened?
:"They'll hate me if they find out I caused the curse. We've lost so much. I need to make amends, but what would the truth bring us except more pain? My Nelhilda mourns for her beloved Gamirth. I need to find a way to help her."
:Doesn't your daughter deserve the truth?
:"Maybe you're right. Nelhilda struggled to find the enchantment, and she lost her beloved Gamirth. She deserves my honesty. I hope she can forgive me."

He will then call over Nelhilda and tell her the truth, she will understandably  be furious.
:Bernt the Brittle: "Nelhilda, please come here."
:Nelhilda: "What is it, father?"
:Bernt the Brittle: "I need to get this off my chest. I made the deal that doomed us. I made the bargain with the Daedric Prince."
:Nelhilda: "Father! Why would you do such a thing? I lost my love to this cursed place because you weren't selling enough mead?"
:Nelhilda: "How can I ever forgive you for this? I never want to see you again!"
: 
:Bernt the Brittle: "Nelhilda was the only thing that kept me sane in this dread place. What will I do now?"
: 
:Bernt the Brittle: "I beg of you, daughter. Try to forgive me. What I did was a foolish mistake. I never imagined anyone else would be at risk."
:Nelhilda: "I don't know what to do. I'm so angry at him … and yet … my father is all I have left."

If you speak with Bernt now he will say:
:"I knew Nelhilda would hate me for this. I almost said I would give anything for her forgiveness, but I've learned the dangers of making wishes."

As you you speak with Nelhilda, you can influence her decision of how to deal with her father. You can either ask her to try and forgive him or suggest that she leaves him in the Everfull Flagon while she takes everyone else away.

Forgiveness
If she forgives him:
:Nelhilda: "I think I can forgive you, father, though it may take time. For now, it's best if we leave this place."
:Bernt the Brittle: "Oh, my dear girl. I will do everything in my power to make this up to you and to the others."
:Nelhilda: "Listen, everyone! We're going to the Hollow City! Join us! We're Nords and we can handle whatever Coldharbour throws our way!"
:Nelhilda: "Come, father. We need to make plans to travel to the Hollow City."

If you speak with him afterwards:
:"We may be stuck in Coldharbour, but Nelhilda forgave me and we have our souls back! Sovngarde is ours again, when the time finally comes.  I will never forget what you did for us. Thank you."

Punishment
On the other hand, if you decide that Bernt needs to be punished:  
:Nelhilda: "I keep thinking of Gamirth and what happened to him. I don't think I can forgive you, father, but I'll try not to hate you."
:Bernt the Brittle: "No, Nelhilda, please! What will we do? What will we do?"
:Nelhilda: "Listen, everyone! I am going to the Hollow City. We will be safer there. It is time for most of us to leave this cursed tavern."
:Nelhilda: "You can stay here, father. In your precious tavern. Think about what your success has cost you and remember all that you have lost."

Bernt will turn to the bar and speak to no one in particular:
:Bernt the Brittle: "Maybe one day Nelhilda will find it in her heart to forgive me. I'll stay here and wait. Help anyone who happens by. And drink. There's always drink."

From here on out, he will only say:
:"I wish Nelhilda would forgive me, but I understand her anger. She has her soul back and her place in Sovngarde is assured. I can hold onto that, and I'll make sure that anyone else who comes here receives whatever aid I can provide."

The Shining Star
If Bernt traveled with the rest of the group, he can be found sitting at a table in the Shining Star.
:"The hero of the Everfull Flagon! Nice to see you again, my friend."''