Oblivion:Dar-Ma

Dar-Ma is an Argonian sharpshooter, and the daughter of Seed-Neeus, the proprietor of Northern Goods and Trade.  You first meet her on your first visit to Chorrol; her friendly nature causes her to actively seek you out and welcome you to the town. It may shock you to find that, despite her friendly nature, Dar-Ma will later be held against her will in the burned-down village of Hackdirt.

Dar-Ma wears a set of middle class clothing: a quilted doublet, light brown linens, and a pair of thick cowhide shoes. She also carries a small amount of gold.

The friendly Argonian lives a rather relaxed life in Chorrol and spends most of her time in the company of either her mother or her fellow townsfolk. She sleeps in the downstairs area of her mother's store every night between midnight and 6am. After waking up she relaxes near her bed until 8am, when she ventures outside and finds her favorite spot, the large plaza surrounding the symbol of Chorrol, the Great Oak. A popular gathering point for the citizens, Dar-Ma will spend all day wandering around the plaza, only interrupted by a four-hour return to the store at 10am. At 6pm she once again enters the store and spends the entire evening with her mother in the main trading room. The exception to this routine happens when you arrive in Chorrol for the first time. If she is not asleep, she will actively seek you out for a personal and friendly welcome: ''"Hello, I don't think we've met.  Are you new in town?" You have two responses. The second will maximise her disposition towards you. 

:None of your business. "Oh, well, I'm sorry for bothering you. My mother often says I'm too forward with strangers."
:Yes, I am. Pleased to meet you. "Likewise! I'm always glad to meet someone new. Welcome! I'm sure my mother would be glad to meet you as well." In either case, she will tell you about her mother: "My mother owns Northern Goods and Trade in Chorrol." If you ask Seed-Neeus about her daughter she will proudly say: "The best daughter a mother could ask for, kind-hearted and a friend to everyone she meets."

After a few days in Chorrol, you may notice that Dar-Ma is absent from both the store and the plaza, and concerned citizens will start talking: "Did you hear that Dar-Ma has disappeared?" If you ask around, the citizens will tell you: "Yes, Seed-Neeus is worried sick about her. I hope nothing has happened to her. Sweet girl, but naive." and "Seed-Neeus is worried sick about her daughter Dar-Ma. If you think you can help, you'll find her at her shop, Northern Goods and Trade." Emfrid, the innkeeper of The Grey Mare, will also inform you: "Dar-Ma is the   of Seed-Neeus, the owner of Northern Goods and Trade. You'll often find her out taking the air near the Great Oak." Another prolific citizen, Honditar, will say: "Ah, the comely Argonian lass. You may have met her if you've ever been in her mother's shop, Northern Goods and Trade."

In Northern Goods and Trade, the now devastated Seed-Neeus will say: "  don't mean to impose, but I'm hoping you can help me. My daughter, Dar-Ma is missing and I don't know what to do." If you ask her to elaborate she will say: "That's right, my daughter Dar-Ma never came back from Hackdirt. I'm dreadfully worried something may have happened to her. Can you help?" If you accept, she will tell you: "I can't thank you enough for your kindness! She was supposed to make a delivery to Etira Moslin in Hackdirt, so I would start there. In case it may be useful, she was with Blossom -- her horse, I mean. Dar-Ma loves that animal, and would never willingly abandon her."

thumb|right|"You can't leave me here to die!"
When you finally locate Dar-Ma in a cage deep down in Hackdirt Caverns she will immediately plea for your help: "Please, let me out of here! You must help me escape. I think these creatures plan to do something horrible to me tonight!" If you respond with a "not yet", she will be disappointed: "What are you doing? You can't leave me here to die!" If you tell her that you will unlock the cage, she will say: "Thank you! Hurry, we need to get out of here, quick!" At this point, she will elaborate on what happened: "These creatures kidnapped me from my room in the inn while I was sleeping. I don't know why... but I'd rather not find out!" After you have freed her, she will be grateful: "Thank you! Let's get out of here!" After you have escorted her outside she will insist on bringing Blossom to safety as well: "Have you seen my horse? I can't leave her here!" When you have brought her and Blossom out of the village she will say: "Thank you for rescuing me! My mother will be so pleased when we arrive back in Chorrol safe and sound. Let's go!" Back in Chorrol, after a seemingly relieved Seed-Neeus has thanked and rewarded you, Dar-Ma will now start to use one of three different greetings when you approach her: "Hello my friend. I will never forget your daring rescue. What can I do for you?", "My hero!" and (if you are male) "I'm always glad to see you, handsome."

Depending on how the quest plays out, the townsfolk will have different reactions. If Dar-Ma is killed during the escape, they will express their sympathy for her mother: "Did you hear the bad news?   daughter was killed by some strange cultists down in Hackdirt. Terrible, terrible times we live in." If Dar-Ma is brought back to Chorrol in one piece, the entire population will be just as relieved as Seed-Neeus: "Did you hear that Dar-Ma came back, safe and sound? You know, Seed-Neeus's daughter, the Argonians." and "I heard some nice fellow found her held prisoner in some cave, and rescued her. What a romantic story!"

 
Related Quests


Notes
If you find Dar-Ma in Hackdirt Caverns without having talked to Seed-Neeus, you will get a different and more explanatory dialogue from the imprisoned Argonian. When you agree to help her out she will say: "Thank you! You're the first friendly face I've seen since I arrived in this hellhole. I know you'll do your best, but... please... if I don't make it, at least bring the news to my mother, Seed-Neeus, in Chorrol. Let's go!"''