Skyrim:Bassianus Axius

thumb|right|Bassianus and Klimmek arguing
Bassianus Axius is a Nord citizen and a resident of Ivarstead where he works as a fisherman. A lover of Fastred, Bassianus' desire is for both of them to leave for Riften against the wishes of Fastred's father, Jofthor. Fastred herself is undecided on the matter and still has feelings for Bassianus' colleague and housemate, Klimmek. During the quest The Book of Love you will have to sort out the love triangle on behalf of Mara and ensure things turn out the best for Fastred.

Ironically, Bassianus lives in the same house as his rival Klimmek, where he sleeps every night between 10pm and 4am. He starts the day with a one-hour breakfast with Klimmek then heads over to Vilemyr Inn where he spends the entire day with the other regulars, sitting, conversing, or drinking. At 1pm and 6pm he pauses for one-hour meals. After completion of the related quest, he will move to Riften, though the choices you make in completing his portion of the quest will determine whether or not Fastred accompanies him. He was supposed to check in at Haelga's Bunkhouse and sleep there every night between 8pm and 4am, but doesn't due to a bug. Instead, he will wander around Riften 24 hours a day.

He wears a belted tunic and a pair of boots. He is equipped with a leveled dagger which can be up to elven quality, and carries a key to Klimmek's house, as well as a selection of common items and gold.

Bassianus is not overly welcoming, and will only greet you with: ''"You don't look like a pilgrim. Why bother visiting Ivarstead?" or simply "Hmm? What do you want?" Like the other Ivarstead citizens, he will tell you a bit about High Hrothgar: "Klimmek brings food supplies up to them once every few weeks when the weather permits it. Other than that, they seem like a quiet lot. Don't really know too much about them." He will finish conversation with: "Hmph. What a boring conversation." The problems with Fastred have seemingly taken its toll on the relationship between the two fishermen. When they meet inside the house, they can be heard arguing:

Bassianus: "If you have a moment, I've come up with a few ideas I wanted to share." 
Klimmek: "I'm becoming sick to death of your ideas. Not one of them has paid off since you moved in." 
Bassianus: "Look, I'm merely suggesting a few things that could expand our business." 
Klimmek: "'Our' business? As I remember things, it was you that showed up at my doorstep looking for a job and a place to live. Try and remember that."

Klimmek: "We're behind again. I need you to catch another two bushels by week's end if I'm to make another delivery." 
Bassianus: "Blood from a stone, Klimmek. I've been out there every morning. They just aren't biting." 
Klimmek: "Come on, everyone in town knows that you spend more time with Fastred than fishing in the river." 
Bassianus: "That's none of your business and I appreciate if you wouldn't mention it again."''

Bassianus' crush on Fastred is known all over town, and even local innkeeper Wilhelm will ask him about it:

Wilhelm: "Have you spoken to Fastred yet?" 
Bassianus: ''"No. I'll tell you, Wilhelm, if I could sweep her away from here tomorrow I'd do it, but Klimmek still has so much to learn." 
Wilhelm: "Klimmek is doing just fine. You should follow your heart." 
Bassianus: "Perhaps one day, but not today."

When you start the quest The Book of Love, Dinya Balu will tell you about a young girl in Ivarstead who has prayed to Mara, specifically Fastred. When you talk to Fastred, she will explain the situation: "My parents are being impossible. Bassianus wants to marry me. And I think I love him. But he wants to move to Riften afterwards, and my father won't allow it. He only cares about this stupid town, but Bassianus makes me happier than anyone ever has. My mother's not any help, either." When you point out that she sounds confused, she will admit: "I don't want to choose! They're both so amazing." When confronted, Boti will admit that she only wants what is best for her daughter: "Now, don't tell my husband, but I don't have any problem with Bassianus. Even if it means her leaving Ivarstead, I want Fastred to be happy. If they just snuck out of town together, I could manage my husband."'' She will then share Bassianus' secret: ''"Bassianus is still so terrified of Jofthor. If he knew that I'd keep him from hunting the poor boy down, he'd take Fastred to Riften without a second thought. Let him know that I'll watch out for them. I just want my daughter to be happy."'' Jofthor however, sees things differently and will provide his take on the situation, and introduce Fastred's old love, Klimmek: ''"I'm sure I know what this is about. She thinks she's in love with Bassianus and wants to leave town. With him. Let me tell you how I see it. Until a few months ago, the girl was head over heels for Klimmek. Wouldn't stop talking about him. Now if I thought she was really in love with Bassianus, that would be one thing. But she's a child. It will pass." He will conclude: "You know how children are. Her fancies change with the moon. And like always, the boy lacks any kind of spine. He'll need some convincing. A little push and this would all be simpler."''

At this point, you can choose to confront Klimmek and convince him that he should tell Fastred his true feelings. This will end the quest on behalf of Bassianus, who will move to Riften by himself. If you choose to confront Bassianus at Boti's request, he will say: "Oh, my love. How I long to take her away from all of this. Why did Boti send you to me?" You can choose to confront him directly, or be undecided. The latter will make him say: ''"As do I. It's a puzzling situation." If you instead tell him what Boti told you, he will respond: "I always had a feeling she liked me. More than that brute Jofthor, at least. Jofthor... what about him? He'll come after us and... it will be unpleasant." When you tell him that Boti will take care of Jofthor, he will be surprised: "She would? If she's willing to deal with him, then everything would be all right. I'll... I'll go speak to Fastred. Post-haste!" He will then run off to see Fastred, and this conversation will play:
thumb|right|"Bassianus, sweetie, what is it?"
Bassianus: "Fastred, we must speak." 
Fastred: "Bassianus, sweetie, what is it?" 
Bassianus: "We must leave. Your father will never approve of us, and I grow weary of this place." 
Fastred: "Where will we go?" 
Bassianus: "To Riften, my pet. How you'll adore the city." 
Fastred: "Oh, and to be with you!" 
Bassianus: "I'll make the preparations immediately!"''

They will then go their separate ways, leaving Jofthor and Boti behind. While Boti will show concern about her daughter's well-being, Jofthor will only mumble: ''"I can't believe Fastred ran off to Riften with that... that bastard."

 
Related Quests
 

Notes
Bassianus (and Fastred, if you did not side with Klimmek) will teleport to Riften at stage 90 (when you are told to find Fenrig) of the related quest to ensure that you are nowhere near Ivarstead to witness the nonexistent journey.
Curiously, Bassianus has an overtly Imperial name, but is considered a Nord in-game.

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