Tes4Mod:Stirk/The Abandoned Miner

Quick Walkthrough
# Overhear a rumor that Winston, a miner, is depressed.
# Talk to Winston about his problems, and agree to help.
# Find the scattered remains of Zeek and give them to Father Ambrogio.
# Return to Winston to let tell him what happened.
# Return to Zeek for a reward.

Detailed Walkthrough
The Depressed Miner
Shortly after arriving on Stirk, you will hear a rumor that Winston, one of the miners working in the Polle Gold Mine, is feeling depressed. When asked about why, he will explain that he is suffering from guilt at what happened to one of his colleagues, an Argonian named Zeek.

A month ago, the miners were trying to get through a natural cave wall in the mine and finding it hard going. The miners decided that the 'Lizard' should do the work, but shortly afterwards there was a cave-in that buried him. Winston admits that although he and Zeek weren't friends, the Argonian trusted him and listened to him. He feels Zeek should have a proper burial but lacks the courage to find out what happened. Instead, he asks for your help.

It's All Mine
After accepting his offer, Winston hands over a key to the abandoned section of the mine and tells you that he thinks Zeek was in the right-hand passage. This turns out to be true.

Zeek is now a ghost, unable to rest because his remains have been scattered by rats that infest the lower mine. He tells you that there are just four pieces of his body left and that they must all be recovered and taken to Father Ambrogio for burial.

The Bones
Zeek's ribcage can be found nearby, on top of the rubble that killed him, but the other three pieces are trickier to find.
His femur can be found in a ruined crate in the northernmost part of the eastern section of the mine.
His pelvis is also in the eastern section, and lies on some straw in the southeastern corner.
Lastly, his humerus is close to the pelvis, also on some straw in an alcove about as far south as you can go.
Zeek will be much happier when you return, and will ask you to take his remains to Father Ambrogio straight away.

Ashes to Ashes
The good Father will take Zeek's bones from you and promise that he will give him a good burial. Three days later, Zeek is buried. Father Ambrogio will tell you ''"I've buried that poor miner that you brought me. Such a terrible fate. May Arkay keep him now. You missed his burial, no one came. I guess the miners couldn't make it. You should pay your respects. The graveyard's on the hill north of the lighthouse."''

One person who would like to hear the good news is Winston. He will thank you for your help and again express regret that he has nothing to offer you.

Requiescat in Pace
The other person who needs to know is Zeek himself. He can still be found in the mine, pacing restlessly. He too will thank you for your efforts, but will also give you his amulet, which although lethal to wear (it possesses a constant 5-point Fire Damage enchantment), adds a Frost Shield ability called ''Zeek's Hope, and a new spell called Zeek's Lament'' that does Burden, Frost Damage and Silence on touch.

Notes
Do not start this quest if you want to take Therander Polle's path through the main Stirk quests.
Father Ambrogio's dialogue about Zeek's burial can only be accessed by waiting three days and not talking to Winston before talking to the Father.

Bugs
Several lines of dialogue and a quest update refer to a tombstone for Zeek being created in the island's graveyard. There is even scripting to set up the three day wait and a script for the tombstone, but no such stone is ever created. This seems to be caused by two minor scripting errors. In  , an "==" operator is missing from the line  , which prevents Zeek from being disabled. In  , a space is missing from the code that would set stage 35 of this quest, so the gravestone is never activated.

Journal Entries