Online:Marnest Barclay

Marnest Barclay is a Breton priest of Arkay found at Hinault Farm and Camp Tamrith.
 

Related Quests


Dialogue
You can encounter priest at the Old Tower at Hinault Farm on the upper landing:
:"Blessed Arkay, take these poor souls under your care."
:'''You're with the Shornhelm Guard?
:"Yes, I am a priest of Arkay in service to the Shornhelm Guard. I've been tasked with giving the final blessing to the soldiers that died in today's battle. Without Arkay's blessing, they could become enthralled by a necromancer."
:Do you need any help?
::"Thank you, but this task is mine to perform. I trained many years in Wayrest to become a priest. If I can't get through such a task on my own, I'm not suited for this calling. Arkay tests me. I must prevail."
:Tell me more about Arkay.
::"Arkay is the Divine of Birth and Death. He is the caretaker of the Divine Cycle all mortals must traverse—change and rebirth. Only through him can we fathom the meanings of these heady concepts."

Quest-Related Events
Lieutenant Sgugh will ask you to assist Marnest Barclay in sanctifying their dead. He can be found praying over some of the bodies.
:"Blessed Arkay, take these poor souls under your care. May your brilliant light cleanse their immortal souls. Oh, hello. Is there something you need, friend?"
:One of the soldiers suggested you could use some help with your rituals.
:"Indeed I could! Sanctifying then burning bodies is a complicated process. If you could burn the bodies while I perform the sanctification rites, this will go a lot faster."
:Sounds simple enough.
:"Take this torch. Use it on the bodies of the soldiers while I perform the ritual of sanctification."

At this point you can ask some questions before you begin:
:Can I ask a few questions first?
:"Of course, my friend. Knowledge is light, and light is good for the soul. But remember, these poor unfortunates aren't going to sanctify themselves."
:Have you had to sanctify many bodies?
::"I've been sent to battlefields before. Most recently at Hinault Farm. But this is the first time I had to sanctify bodies potentially corrupted by a blood-curse."
::I saw what happened at Hinault. (If you completed Under Siege)
::"I thought I recognized you. The light blesses your steps, friend. You always seem to arrive where your help is most needed."
:Why is Countess Tamrith so concerned with sanctifying the dead?
::"It's the right thing to do, and it's what her beliefs demand. But more importantly, we know that vampires were responsible for these deaths. The risk of contamination is just too great to ignore."
:Are you really here just to help the soldiers?
::"My good work takes me to wherever I am needed. After we make sure the soldiers are provided for, then I will help the refugees in any way I can."

Speaking to him again before carrying on the task:
:"Use the torch to burn the dead. I'll follow behind you and perform the ritual of sanctification."''
 
As you burn one of the bodies, Marnest will recite some of Arkay's prayers for the sanctification rites:
:Marnest Barclay: "Arkay bless this soul and sanctify this broken vessel."

:Marnest Barclay: "May the light keep you in its warm and soothing embrace."

:Marnest Barclay: "May the light cleanse this vessel and let it rest in peace."

:Marnest Barclay: ''"By the light's holy radiance, let the dead stay dead."

Once you have finished, you can speak Marnest who will wipe his brow after he is done:
:"That was considerably faster than I expected, thanks to your assistance."
:Is that all of them?
:"Not quite. If my count is accurate, there should be one or two more bodies that we need to find and sanctify."
:Where should we look for them?
:"Let's check some of the nearby overlooks. I believe the survivors told me that a few battles took place in those areas."

He will then become your follower and speaking to him again at the camp:
:"Let's look around the perimeter of the camp. The remains of the last soldier must be around there somewhere."

When you approach one of the bodies in the overlooks, Marnest will comment on the smell:
:Marnest Barclay: "This one smells terrible. May the light bless you anyway."

However, you will be ambushed by a bloodfiend.
:Marnest Barclay: "The Light protect us!"

Once you have killed it you can check if Marnest is okay:
:"Now that that's over with, we should return to Camp Tamrith and let Lieutenant Sgugh know that the task is complete."
:Are you all right? That bloodfiend got pretty close to you.
:"Closer than I hoped, I assure you. The experience was illuminating. After seeing the lack of pity or compassion in those monstrous eyes, I'm more certain than ever that the living must be protected from this blood-curse. Light watch over us."''

After the quest, he'll be at the camp helping the refugees:
:''"I'm going to stay here and help in whatever way I can. Thank you again for your timely assistance."''