Skyrim:Vekel the Man

Vekel the Man is the Nord food vendor and bartender at the Ragged Flagon, which he owns. He has 100 barter gold and sells cheap food and ingredients. Although you can't fence him any stolen goods, as long as you're part of the Thieves Guild he doesn't mind if you steal objects from the tavern. He is in a relationship with Tonilia but is frustrated both by her engagement refusals and the rumors of an affair she allegedly has with Brynjolf.

Vekel will always be found offering his services in the Ragged Flagon while he waits behind the counter, gives it a scrub, or sweeps the floor. He wears some common barkeep clothes and shoes. He also carries a belted tunic and a leveled potion of restore health, magicka or stamina, as well as the odd trinket or two. He is armed with a leveled dagger and war axe (both up to elven quality).

You will be directed to purchase Shadowfoot Sanctum from him for 7,500 gold as part of the related quest if you have the Shadowfoot Sanctum Creation installed.

The Ragged Flagon's bouncer and Vekel's good friend Dirge will inform you to behave around Vekel: ''"Vekel doesn't like strangers snooping around the Flagon.", "Last person who made trouble for Vekel ended up with a smashed head." and "The last person that made trouble for Vekel ended up floating in the canal... catch my drift?"


 
Related Quests
 
 
 

Dialogue
Greetings:
:"You better have coin to pay for your drinks. There's no handouts here."
:"Got a lot of nerve coming down here. People tend to get hurt in the Ratway."
:"I wouldn't stay here long if I were you."
:"There's a reason the city guard doesn't come down here you know."
:"Don't make trouble or else I'll ask Dirge to 'walk' you out."''

If you join the guild, his attitude won't exactly improve and he'll even start complaining of the guild's sorry state of affairs:
:''"So, you're Brynjolf's new protege, eh? Don't look like much to me."
:"Something has to change soon or I may as well pack this place up and leave it for the skeevers."
:"Less coin in everyone's pocket means less coin in mine."
:"I hear even the simple jobs are becoming difficult. It never used to be like this."
:"It's been a long time since anyone joined us. Seems like people are in a rush to leave."
:"It's one thing to say you've got the skills to be a thief. It's another to actually use them."''

If you get kicked out of the guild, he'll refuse to talk to you: ''"I'll serve you after you've paid Vex."''

Quest-Related Events
Toying With the Dead
If you ask him for work, he'll tell you about some journals he's been looking for: ''"Now that you mention it, there is. I have a buyer with, shall we say, a very odd taste in literature looking for some particular books. I'm told they're the ravings of a madman... a wizard named Arondil and his peculiar cravings. It's said to be spread across four volumes and very hard to come by. My client is offering quite a reward for them, which I'd split with you."''

If you inquire as to the journals' existence, he'll reveal: "Recently, a woman was found... naked and shivering along the road to Dawnstar. The only information the guard could get from her were tales of strange experiments and Arondil scribbling in his journals." Asking about the man himself won't net you much: "Only rumors. He used to have a home in Dawnstar until they burned it down. The people say he was doing unspeakable experiments on reanimation... rituals only a necromancer would perform. After he made for Yngvild, he was never heard from again."

Should you agree, he'll be pleased: "Then we have a deal. In his later years,   moved into some ice caves known as Yngvild. He   the solitude in which to perform his, um... experiments." If you tell him you're not interested in books he'll scoff: ''"Yeah, but you're into gold. Let me know if you change your mind. I'm not going anywhere."'' If you already have all the volumes he'll be astounded: ''"I can't believe it. You have them already? Here, take this. This should cover your end of the work nicely.''" Finally, if you only have some of the journals he'll spur you on: ''"It's a good start, but you need all four of the volumes or the set isn't complete. Why don't you head back out to Yngvild and find the rest?"''

Once you return, he'll reward you with a leveled enchanted one-handed weapon: ''"Good. I was hoping you hadn't forgotten about it. As promised, here's your payment for bringing them to me. Got it as part of a fair trade from my client."''

A Cornered Rat
During the quest A Cornered Rat, Vekel may help with gathering information on Esbern. If you ask him about an old man he'll reply in four different ways, depending on whether you're part of the guild, whether you're friends with him, and whether you've already learned Esbern's location:
:''"Lot of people looking for him. Don't know his name, but he's paid good money for nobody to know he's down here."
:"Well... there is guy like that. He's paid good money for nobody to know he's down here, but I guess I can tell you."
:"Huh. Lot of old guys around. I don't really know how I can help."
:"He's holed up in the Ratway Warrens. Be careful. You're not the only one looking for him."''

If you don't manage to get the information straight from him you can try to bribe, persuade, or intimidate him:
:''"Well... when you put it that way, I think I do know the old guy you're talking about." or "Big talk for someone with a light purse."
:"Maybe I'm just getting soft in my old age, but I actually believe you." or "That's a touching story. Now get outta my face."
:"There's no need for that. Not like he's a friend of mine or anything. Just calm down." or "You've got a lot of nerve. But not a lot of common sense."''

If you press him to tell you who else is looking for Esbern he'll confide: ''"Dangerous-looking elves who didn't give their names. Draw your own conclusions."

Shadowfoot Sanctum
:I'm looking to make a home here in the Ratways.
:"Splendid! There's a house available right now."

::I'll take it. (7,500 gold)
::"Wonderful! Here is the key to your new home."

::I'll have to think about it.
::"Very well, just let me know when you're ready to purchase the house."


Stage-Dependent Dialogue
At different stages in the Thieves Guild questline, Vekel will deliver the following lines when talked to:
"Sure. How about you mind your own business about it, and I won't have to get Dirge to toss you into the cistern?"
"I don't know you so we've got nothing to talk about. How about you finish the job Brynjolf gave you, then we can talk."
"I don't know about the others, but I sure am glad to see a fresh face down here. The Flagon used to be packed every night with the boys from the Guild but now look at it. Last few years have been pretty bad. I've almost closed this place up."
"Well, you did something Vex couldn't do at Goldenglow, so you're looking pretty damn good. Word is that you found something while you were out there though... something that could be a problem for the Guild. Just watch your back and do what Mercer says... he'll sort it out."
"Maven was down here right before you got back and she was all smiles. Haven't seen her like that in a long time. Whatever you did at Honningbrew, you're now on her good side. Best of all, if she's happy, Mercer's happy. Keep it up and you'll go places."
"Glad to hear Gulum-Ei got what he deserved. That lizard owes me big for a bad shipment of Shadowbanish Wine he tried to pass off on me. Mercer's been storming around waiting for you to come back. I think he's finally figured out who's been messing with the Guild. Never seen the guy so angry. Better help him out any way you can."
"Everyone's been worried since you and Mercer haven't shown up in a while. Brynjolf even went out to find you. Delvin and Vex have been running things for now. I hope this all gets straightened out soon or I'm headed on the first caravan out of Riften."
"Look, I like you, so I'll tell it to you straight. Brynjolf and the rest are in the Guild, and they're ready to cut you down. I know you have a damn good reason for siding with Karliah, so I hope you can give it to them."
"The word is that Mercer Frey is a dead man. The Guild wants his blood. I can't say I blame them. Murder is not our way. Gallus was before my time, but I still can't believe it. You need to teach him a lesson... show him the penalty for betrayal around here."
"So, word has it you and Brynjolf know where Mercer's hiding. Good. Make sure you make him pay for what he did to Gallus... heck, for what he did to all of us. We're all behind you, friend. Do your best."
"I haven't seen so much celebrating in years. Mercer's dead, we have a new Guild Master and things are finally looking up. I only hope we can restore the Guild to its former glory after all the damage that's been done."
"I haven't seen so much celebrating in years. Mercer's dead, we have a new Guild Master and things are finally looking up. Business is booming, coin is flowing and everyone seems content as things keep going our way. A new chapter in the Thieves Guild is being written this day and we all owe it to you. Many thanks."

Conversations
Vekel can be heard having random conversations with the other regulars of the Flagon, as listed below.

Notes
Despite his claim that business is booming after you are named Guild Master, he will switch back to his default dialogue after that point, complaining about the sorry state of affairs the guild is in.
In the official game guide, it is revealed that he resided at Honorhall Orphanage at one point in his life.