Online:Scholar Cantier

Scholar Cantier is a Breton studying the final events of King Ranser's last stand at the Traitor's Tor. Clerk Reyna knows him personally and will tell you that he talks about his studies excessively.
 

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Quest-Related Events
He can initially be found restlessly pacing around just outside of Traitor's Tor. He seems to be excited about something and is loudly talking to himself:
:"Fascinating!"
:"Surely there is a way..."
:"There must be some way to get in. There must be."
:''"It's amazing that there were no survivors. Were the Orcs really that precise?"
:"I'll find out what happened here if it's the last thing that I do!"

You can then introduce yourself and ask what he is doing.
:"Ah! A fellow student of history? You must be. No other reason to visit these gods-forsaken ruins. Fascinating place though. You realize this is where King Ranser made his last stand? Still haunts the place, in fact. And I intend to find out why."
:King Ranser's ghost haunts these ruins?
:"Yes. The king and all his soldiers. Something happened in the final moments of the battle against the Orcs of Wrothgar fifteen years ago, and they were cursed with undeath. Their undead forms have prevented anyone from getting in to learn the truth."
:How do you plan to get past the undead then?
:"Yes, well … that's the challenge. I was hoping though, since you're here and you do appear capable, would you be willing to escort me in there? I just need to get to the central tower. I'm convinced the answers I seek are there."
:All right. I'll take you to the tower.
:"I knew if I came out here and hung about long enough, someone would eventually happen by to help! If I can be the one to determine what happened in King Ranser's final moments, scholars will speak my name with reverence for generations!"

You can then ask him questions about the history.
:What is known about the battle that happened here?
::"A good bit actually. High King Emeric's forces had just broken the bulk of Ranser's armies at Markwasten Moor. Some fools actually believe that's where Ranser fell, but that's not the case. He and his most trusted troops retreated here."
::And the Orcs attacked him here?
::"Yes. Wrothgar was, of course, allied with King Emeric. And the Orcs had already subdued most of the kingdom, including Shornhelm. Ranser retreated here and the Orcs surrounded him. The last moments of the battle, however, were lost to history."
:Can you tell me about King Ranser himself? / Can you tell me more about King Ranser himself?
::"Ranser was king of Shornhelm, the ruler of Rivenspire during what many consider the high point of its history. He was ambitious, too. That's why he tried to marry his daughter to Emeric. When Emeric changed his mind, Ranser became insane with fury."
::That's what started the war?
::"Indeed. Ranser's armies marched on Wayrest. Almost took it, too. But Emeric managed to strike a deal with the Redguards and the Orcs. Ranser's forces were soon beset by enemies on all sides. They were driven from Stormhaven in a matter of weeks."

He will briefly become a follower at this point. If you go away from the Tor, he will say:

:Scholar Cantier: "You're going the wrong way."

If you leave the area, he will turn back and say:
:Scholar Cantier: "Well, I am staying here."''

After touching a skull found in the tower and witnessing the final hours of Ranser's forces and his general, you will return to reality to find Cantier confused at what just happened.
:"What happened to you? It looked like you were in a daze for a few moments."
:I saw a vision of the past. It was like I was there.
:"Stupendous! Did you see what happened to King Ranser? Was it the Orcs who killed him or are the rumors true? Was he betrayed and killed by his own soldiers?"
:King Ranser went mad and General Dathieu killed him.
:''"Ah, General Dathieu. Of course! I should have known. They say his bones were scattered around the ruins. I suppose this was Ranser's twisted idea of vengeance. Tell me, though. Did you learn how we might remove the undead curse here?"
:I'm not sure, but we should gather the general's scattered bones.
:"Then what? Will he rise up and kill the king again? I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Take the skull and search the ruins for the rest of the general's bones. If you don't mind, I'll watch from the top of the tower."

You can speak to him to the top of the tower before you deal with King Ranser as he wants to record this historic moment:
:"This is an historic moment. You do realize that, don't you? We're about to play a significant role in ending the haunting of Traitor's Tor and discovering the truth of King Ranser's final moments!"''

Once you find General Dathieu's bones and deal with King Ranser and put Dathieu to rest, you can find Cantier is still in the ruined tower.
:''"It appears the curse has been lifted. Whatever you did, it must have worked. Now I have all the time I need to study the ruins and piece the whole story together. Don't worry. I'll mention your name in my book!"
:What are you still doing here?
:"Now that those skeletons are gone, I'm going to spend some time exploring the tor. This place is fascinating!"''