Online:Kelmen Locke

Kelmen Locke is an alcoholic Breton conjurer and ex-member of the Mages Guild being held hostage in Haddock's Market. He is the sole survivor of the group of summoners responsible for the atronach army, and will need to be rescued during the quest Elemental Army.

After being rescued, he will relocate to the Star-Gazers' Observatory. Later on, he will serve as a companion during the quest The Missing Guardian. You will see a vision of his death during the Dawn of the Exalted Viper, when he tries to reason with Regent Cassipia.
 

Related Quests




Quest-Related Events
Elemental Army
When you first enter the tower in Haddock's Market, The Thief will address Kelmen Locke:
:Kelmen Locke :  "Away, phantom! Unless you are here to free me, I will have none of you."
:The Thief :  ''"I'm no phantom, Kelmen Locke. I am the Celestial Thief. And you know why I am here."
:Kelmen Locke :  "Just another bandit then? I've already been robbed blind. There's nothing more to take from me."
:The Thief :  "The atronachs. The Celestial Mage showed you how to summon them in a dream. Do you remember? Why have they turned against Craglorn?"
:Kelmen Locke :  "Oh no. No more Celestial Mages and Serpents! I've had enough of all that! I saw what happened to the others and that won't happen to me."''

Speak to him and he'll say:
:"Who are you? Are you in league with this Thief? I demand that you free me immediately!"
:'''I'll free you if you tell me what you know about the atronachs.
:"The atronachs? I don't care to think about those creatures.  One moment we were summoning them and destroying the Dark Anchors, and the next they turned on us like ungrateful dogs!"
:Why did the atronachs turn against you?
:"It was terrible! A giant spectral Serpent appeared at the summoning site. We sent the atronachs against it, but they refused to obey us. They killed the others. Coward that I am, I fled. But then I was captured by these common rogues."
:How did the Serpent gain control of the atronachs?
:"I don't know. But I think I know how to find out. We need to talk to the atronachs directly and ask them what happened."
:How can we do that?
:"The first atronachs we summoned were ancient. They could communicate, to some extent. They didn't speak, but we heard them in our minds.  They commanded the others and we controlled them. With a gem we saw in a dream—the Gem of Celestial Command."
:Where do I find this gem?
:"Well, as it happens, that's the one thing the bandits didn't get their hands on. I was able to keep it … hidden. Don't ask. Take it. Find the storm, fire, and frost monarchs and use the gem to bind them. You'll probably have to fight them first."
:And then?
:"Go to the summoning site and use the gem to call on the monarchs. I'll meet you there. They might be more favorable to me. Or maybe not. But now, I've helped you. Will you release me?"
:Yes, I'll release you.
:"I've told you all I know. You need to bind the monarch atronachs before we can understand what's happening."''

At the ritual site, he'll speak as you approach:
:Kelmen Locke :  "Use the gem on each stone focus to summon the atronachs."
Speak to him directly and he'll say:
:"The atronachs are bound to the gem of command. Use the gem on each focus stone to summon the atronachs. Then we may speak with them."

After summoning all of the atronachs, Kelmen will converse with them:
:Nomeg Ozal :  "You are not our master. We do not serve mortal flesh."
:Kelmen Locke :  "Who do you serve?"
:Magdra Ibrai :  "The Mage. She created us. Imbued us with thought. But she has fallen, corrupted by the Serpent who crawls on his belly."
:Kelmen Locke :  "You mean the Celestial Mage? The Serpent controls the Mage? How is that possible?"
:Zymel Mirapharrus :  "Trickery. Deceit. And once he controlled her, he turned her power against us and enslaved us."
:Kelmen Locke :  "Why go to all this trouble?"
:Nomeg Ozal :  "Because that is what the Serpent does. He has used the Mage to create a new monarch. One with all of our powers. One made of pure air."
:Kelmen Locke :  "Where can we find this new monarch?"
:Magdra Ibrai :  "We do not know. All we remember is a name. Balamath."
:Kelmen Locke :  ''"Balamath? I know that place. It's an Ayleid ruin. Thank you. You are dismissed."
:Zymel Mirapharrus :  "Defeat the Serpent's abomination. Defeat the Monarch of Air and we will tell our master of your kindness."

Speak to Kelmen about this:
:"This is very bad news. The Serpent used the monarchs and their power to create a new atronach—one with the ability to take on the elements of other atronachs."
:How did he do that?
:"I'm not one to speculate on the powers of the Celestials, but it seems he manipulated the Mage somehow. That's not in our power to correct at the moment, but we can try to find this new atronach—an air atronach, the monarchs called it."
:Do we bind it?
:"No, binding won't work. The air monarch was created from the power of three monarchs. It's too powerful. It must be destroyed. The monarchs said that it could be found at a place called Balamath. I recognize the name. It's an Ayleid ruin."
:I'll find and defeat the air atronach.
:"Good luck with that. As for me, I think I'll keep my distance. I've had more than enough excitement in recent weeks, thank you very much."
:"You must find and defeat the air monarch. An atronach with the power of three monarch atronachs is just too dangerous."''

After defeating the air atronach in Balamath Hall, you'll find him speaking to The Thief:
:Kelmen Locke : ''" You know, it's very unsettling the way you pop in and out like that."
:The Thief :  "I wouldn't be a very good Thief if I couldn't come and go as I please."
:Kelmen Locke :  "Well, I've done what you asked of me. Are you satisfied?"
:The Thief :  "You have done well and I appreciate your efforts. Thanks to you, the Star-Gazers now understand the nature of the atronach threat and how to stop it."

Speak to him:
:"I suppose I should thank you. I couldn't have bound the atronachs or defeated the air monarch on my own. I'm sure this isn't the end of the Serpent's mad plans, but I'd wager this sets him back for a while."
:I hope so.
:"Listen. I know I've been a spineless lout, but I'm grateful for this. When we summoned those atronachs, we never imagined they'd be turned against Craglorn. If I can ever repay the favor, let me know."''
This completes the quest, and Kelmen enters a portal leaving you behind.

The Missing Guardian
When at the Star-Gazers' Observatory, you can speak to Kelmen Locke about the atronachs, his alcoholism and how he managed to get captured. He will start the conversation by saying, ''"They call it liquid courage. I'm not sure that's the right name. More like liquid forgetfulness. A toast—to our dear, lost friends. And to the Thief, whatever she may be."''

Arrive at the lake to meet with Kelmen and Titus Valerius, he'll say out loud:
:Kelmen Locke :  ''"There's definitely something still active here. I can feel the magicka pulsing in these stones."''

Speak to him and he'll tell you:
:''"Strange. I've seen these ruins jutting from the waters before. They always seemed so … ordinary.  But now they're practically humming with energy. And I sense … what is that … my gods, yes! It's some kind of entrance."
:Why do you think it's different now?
:"There's only one explanation I can think of, and it's not exactly reassuring. If someone found the entrance before us and activated it, the residual energy would continue to emanate for a while after. If we go inside, we won't be alone."
:Hara wanted us to go inside.
:"Right. And we mustn't let her down, no matter how terrifying the task. It looks like the energy has its source at these sconces. I see nothing that can be done to activate this one, but it might be worth looking at the others. Fancy a swim?"
:"Many believe the Nedes were barely more than barbarians, but ruins like this prove otherwise. Don't underestimate their cleverness. Look for a pattern if you can, and consider the possibility that the lock was designed to be impossible to open alone."''

Solve the puzzle and you'll hear Kelmen shout:
:Kelmen Locke :  "There! In the center! A passage must have opened below the water!"
:Titus Valerius :  ''"Quickly, dive to the passageway! We'll follow behind you!"''

Once inside Reinhold's Retreat, he'll say:
:Kelmen Locke :  "Interesting. These stones seem to be designed as magical defenses, though they lay dormant now. I wonder what other secrets regarding the Nedes have been lost to time."

Inside the Hall of Oath Keepers, you'll hear:
:Kelmen Locke :  "The stench of corruption pervades the air. Be wary. A powerful practitioner of dark sorcery is nearby."

Defeat Madleena Blackvein, and he'll remark:
:Kelmen Locke :  ''"She mentioned another Apex Stone. Could it be that the Thief's stone has been hidden here all along?"''

Enter the Star-Gazer Sanctuary and you'll hear:
:Kelmen Locke :  "There! The Apex Stone! What are they doing to it? Is this how they corrupt the stones and enslave the Guardians?"
:Titus Valerius :  ''"Look! It's Hara! Why would they have her here? We have to find a way to free her!"
:Kelmen Locke :  "How do we stop it?"''
thumb|right|Kelmen fighting the Online:Serpent's Corruption|Serpent's Corruption
Battle for a while, and he'll deduce:
:Kelmen Locke :  "These aetherial stones are linked. I see now! Split off and use them both before their power fades!"
:Titus Valerius :  "Quickly, before more arrive!"
:Kelmen Locke :  "Fascinating! She knew this place was protected by aetherial power! A trap set by a Thief for a … a thief."

Once the minions are defeated, the following will play out:
:Titus Valerius :  ''"Hah! We've done it!"
:Kelmen Locke :  "Why do I get the feeling this isn't over?"
:Titus Valerius :  "We will not fall here!"
:Hara :  "You always underestimated the will of the true heroes of this world, Malazar! Witness the foreshadowing of your doom!"
:Hara :  "These mortals will see to it that your chaos is undone. We will reunite the Guardians, and you will be banished once more!"

Defeat the final boss, and the surprise is revealed:
:Kelmen Locke :  "Could it really be…?"
:Titus Valerius :  "Hara… You? All along?"
:Hara :  "It had to be this way. But the time for deception is ended. Now is the time for action."''

Speaking to him back at the Star-Gazer's Observatory, he will start the conversation by saying he is confused about Hara's identity,

:"So Hara is the Thief and the Thief is Hara. Now I really do need a drink."

:Tell me more about how you summoned the atronachs.
:"Let me stop you right there. I did not summon the atronachs. Not alone, anyway.
:I had the help of three other mages: Adalind, Dorian, and Kasimir."
::Tell me about them.
::"Well, out of all of us, Kasimir was the prodigy. He was only nineteen years old, if you can believe it!
::''But summoning the atronachs was Dorian's idea. Or rather, his dream."
:::His dream?
:::"He said a woman appeared to him in a dream. She wore a dress made of stars, he said, and had hair burnished with golden light.
:::He was convinced that she was the Mage herself. Showing him how to free Craglorn of the Dark Anchors."
::::What happened?
::::"Everyone did their part. Adaling chose the ritual location. Kasimir prepared the summoning circle. And I readied the Gem of Celestial Command, just as Dorian had been shown.
::::It was our finest moment, and the last time we were all alive together."

:Do you drink like this often?
:"I only drink when I remember. And once I forget, I stop."

::What are you trying to forget?
::"Self-knowledge. I did not know I was a coward until the atronachs turned on our circle of conjurers.
::That was when I learned that I am the sort of man who runs while his friends die."

:How did a powerful conjurer like yourself end up getting captured by mercenaries?
:''"I'm just getting a handle on that myself. At the time, I found it strange that they seemed to have an answer for every spell I threw at them.
:But Hara tells me that the Celestial Serpent had a hand in my capture."
::'''Are you sure you weren't just too drunk?
::"That's a fair accusation, but I'm quite sure I wasn't. Even I know better than to travel the roads of Craglorn in anything less than a state of complete sobriety."''

thumb|right|A farsight vision of Kelmen's death
Dawn of the Exalted Viper
During Dawn of the Exalted Viper, it is revealed that Kelmen went to Upper Craglorn alone to stop his old Mages Guild colleague Cassipia from becoming a Celestial. Inside the Howling Sepulchers, the Thief will summon a vision of Kelmen:
:Little Leaf :  "Kelmen, can you still do that trick with the dead bugs? That was my favorite!"
:Regent Cassipia :  ''"Dear Kelmen is here to stop us, Little Leaf, not to perform tricks for your amusement. He fears the power I'll wield as the Exalted Viper."
:Kelmen Locke :  "This is madness, Cassipia. What are you thinking? No mortal can contain the power of a constellation!"
:Regent Cassipia :  "You never had any ambition, Kelmen. No vision. When I become the Serpent's equal, with the power of a celestial at my command, I can make this world a better place."
:Kelmen Locke :  "By destroying Belkarth? How does that make the world a better place? Little Leaf, surely you don't support Cassipia's mad dream."
:Regent Cassipia :  "That's enough, you old drunk. Belkarth represents what's wrong with the current age. Once I destroy it, I can finally begin creating a new and better world."
:Kelmen Locke :  "No, Cassipia. I won't let you do this!"
:Regent Cassipia :  "Not Cassipia, dear Kelmen. I am the Exalted Viper!"''
Cassipia then summons a flood of lightning and blue fire as the vision fades, and Kelmen keels over, dead.