Skyrim:Brand-Shei

thumb|right|Brand-Shei stays in the background while Skyrim:Brynjolf|Brynjolf makes a distraction.
Brand-Shei is a Dark Elf trader within Riften. He was orphaned at a young age and was raised by Argonians in Black Marsh. He owns a stall in Riften Grand Plaza and specializes in selling goods from Morrowind. Like other vendors of the plaza he is suspicious of Brynjolf and his actions have earned Brand-Shei the Thieves Guild's ire.

Brand-Shei is a permanent resident at Haelga's Bunkhouse and sleeps there every night between midnight and 6am. He starts the day with a one-hour breakfast then heads down to his market stall at Riften Grand Plaza. He works there for a solid thirteen hours before he returns to the bunkhouse for another meal at 8pm. After eating for four hours, he heads to bed at midnight and sleeps for six hours.

He wears a set of merchant clothes and matching boots. He carries a belted tunic and a leveled dagger (up to elven quality at level 20).

 
Related Quests
 
 
Dialogue
When you meet him in the market he will try and sell his wares by shouting: "Rare trinkets and the finest oddities from Morrowind!", "Gems, potions, exotic ingredients... I have them all!" and "The fairest prices and the highest quality in Skyrim!" When you talk to him he will continue: "Can I interest you in some fine goods from Morrowind?", "Have anything you wish to sell? I pay fair prices for all sorts of goods." and ''"If there's anything you wish to purchase, just let me know." If you meet him outside his working hours he may greet you with: "If you're ever in the market, I deal in specialty goods from Morrowind at one of the stands."''

When you meet Brynjolf in Riften, it soon becomes apparent that Brand-Shei is in bad standing with the Thieves Guild. Brynjolf has set up a scam and you're supposed to plant Madesi's silver ring in Brand-Shei's pocket. Brynjolf will not provide much explanation about what Brand-Shei has done, except: ''"We've been contracted to make sure Brand-Shei remembers not to meddle in affairs that aren't his own. Now, since we're not the Dark Brotherhood, we're not going to kill him, we're just going to make sure he sits in the prisons for a few days." When Brynjolf starts his distraction, Brand-Shei will leave his stand and express his doubts about yet another product from Brynjolf:

Brand-Shei: "Come on, Brynjolf... what is it this time?" 
Brynjolf: "Patience, Brand-Shei. This is a rare opportunity, and I wouldn't want you to get left out." 
Madesi: "That's what you said about the Wisp Essence and it turned out to be crushed nirnroot mixed with water!" 
Brynjolf: "That was a simple misunderstanding, but this item is the real thing. Lads and lasses I give you, Falmerblood Elixir!" 
Brand-Shei: "Oh come on, are you talking about the Snow Elves?" 
Brynjolf: "The one and only."''

Brynjolf will then continue his prank while you steal the ring. Brand-Shei, on the other hand, will become quite tempted by Brynjolf's sales speech and will even ask: "How much does it cost?" While Madesi will remain skeptical, Brand-Shei will decide that Falmerblood Elixir may be a good investment and will choose between a few random lines: "I dunno, sounds like I should try it.", ''"What if he's right? Maybe I'll buy one.", "I could get rich and stop selling these trinkets.", "This is just what I need right now.", "I can't afford to get one, but can I afford not to?" or "That Wisp Essence didn't help, but maybe this will." Once you plant the ring on Brand-Shei, Brynjolf will end the prank and a disappointed Brand-Shei will return to his stall with the words: "Damn. I knew I shouldn't have waited." However, Madesi will soon find out about the theft from his lockbox, and alert a guard who will confront Brand-Shei:

thumb|right|"This is insane! I didn't steal anything!"
Guard: "All right, Brand-Shei. Turn out your pockets, we know you have it." 
Brand-Shei: "Have what? What in blazes are you talking about?" 
Guard: "Don't play stupid. I said turn out your pockets... now!" 
Brand-Shei: "I'm telling you, I don't... wait, what's this ring? This isn't mine!" 
Guard: "That's right. It isn't yours. You're under arrest, Brand-Shei." 
Brand-Shei: "This is insane! I didn't steal anything! I never saw this ring before in my entire life!" 
Guard: "We can do this one of two ways. You can walk with me up to the keep, or I can drag your lifeless body. Your choice." 
Brand-Shei: "But... I... very well."

The guard will then escort Brand-Shei to Riften Jail where he will be put in one of the cells, stripped of his belongings, and clad in a belted tunic: "Who did this to me?", "This city is corrupt! You're all corrupt!" and "This is unfair! I'm innocent!"

thumb|right|"We're just going to make sure he sits in the prisons for a few days."
Whether or not he is in prison, Brand-Shei has another problem, namely his past. When you point out that Brand-Shei is an odd name for a dark elf, he will agree: "I may be dark elf by birth, but I was raised Argonian. Through reasons I'm still trying to discover, I ended up orphaned then taken in by a kindly Argonian family in Black Marsh. I hope one day to find out what happened to me... how I ended up like that." When asked if he has got any clues he will tell you what he found out so far: "Just one. I know when I was found by my Argonian father, I was wrapped in a blanket bearing the symbol of House Telvanni. It was one of the great houses in Morrowind long ago. Whether that means I was one of them or not, I'm uncertain. If you come across anything in your travels that might provide me with the answers I'm looking for, I'd be grateful." When you promise him to keep an eye out, he will start the quest Distant Memories with a simple "Thank you.", although you can ask about why he chose to search for his past in Skyrim: "I learned that a matron who had served for House Telvanni had escaped Morrowind during the Accession War. Records showed her buying passage aboard a sailing vessel named 'The Pride of Tel Vos,' but that's where the trail ran cold. I spent years looking for what became of the ship, but I ended up empty-handed."'' A journal found in the wreckage of the ship reveals that Brand-Shei's true name is Brandyl Tenvanni.

When you return from the Wreck of The Pride of Tel Vos with the journal, Brand-Shei will be most interested and hand you a reward: ''"Let me see that! Yes... yes. This is it! I don't know how you found this stranger, but you've obviously succeeded where I had failed. Please, let me offer you this key. It unlocks my strongbox under my stand in the marketplace. Help yourself to anything inside."''


Standard Merchandise
This is the merchandise found in Brand-Shei's merchant chest. These items are only available if purchased from the merchant; they cannot be pickpocketed or stolen. They are restocked every two days.


Conversations
Brand-Shei: "Svana, I heard that Sibbi was put in jail. What happened?" 
Svana: "They say... well, they say he murdered someone. Something to do with Svidi." 
Brand-Shei: ''"Come to think of it, I haven't seen Svidi in a while. Wait... he didn't..." 
Svana: "No, it was Svidi's brother, Wulfur. She's in hiding now. Somewhere far from here I'd suspect." 
Brand-Shei: "If he wasn't a Black-Briar, I'd march right over to the jail and teach Sibbi some manners... but then I suppose I'd end up like Wulfur."

Bolli: "So while I was in Ivarstead, I heard news that something terrible happened at Helgen." 
Brand-Shei: "You've heard too? They say the town was completely destroyed by a dragon." 
Bolli: "If that's true, then we have much more to fear than the Thieves Guild." 
Brand-Shei: "I'd still keep an eye on my purse if I was you."

Tythis Ulen: "Brand-Shei... have you managed to find those boots for me?" 
Brand-Shei: "What's with all the boots and shoes you keep buying? You must have bought twenty pairs in the last two years." 
Tythis: "Always be prepared. You never know if you might get a split in one, or lose one, then where would you be? No sir, that's not happening to me." 
Brand-Shei: "Um... okay. Well, the boots aren't here yet. Hopefully on the next Khajiit caravan."

Shadr: "Brand-Shei, did you hear about Helgen? It's... it's gone! A dragon burned it to the ground!" 
Brand-Shei: "Yes, I heard. I think all of Skyrim knows by know." 
Shadr: "Do you... do you think that could happen here? I mean, could a dragon come here and burn the city down?" 
Brand-Shei: "I don't know. All we can do is hope the Eight will favor us and have these creatures stay far away from Riften."

Maven Black-Briar: "I don't like being made a fool of, Brand-Shei. Not one bit." 
Brand-Shei: "Maven, please. I didn't know it was your man. Had I known, I would have looked the other way, I swear." 
Maven: "Turning him in to the guards? Have you joined Mjoll as official peacekeepers of Riften? You cost me a lot of coin." 
Brand-Shei: "Maven, I... please, don't hurt me."

Mjoll the Lioness: "Well met, Brand-Shei. I've come by to browse your wares today." 
Brand-Shei: "Is it true you chased a thief from your home? I overheard Aerin mentioning it." 
Mjoll: "It's true. Wasn't much of a thief though. Made enough noise to wake the Red Mountain." 
Brand-Shei: "Good. Maybe that will teach them to leave honest citizens alone."

Mjoll: "I was hoping you could help me. It seems I've lost a ring that also means quite a bit to me. It's made of gold with an inscription on the inside that says 'sand elske.'" 
Brand-Shei: "I'm afraid not. I don't deal in stolen goods." 
Mjoll: "Stolen? How can you be certain? I may have just misplaced it somewhere in the city." 
Brand-Shei: "Lady Mjoll, if you lost a gold ring anywhere in this city I'm afraid it's likely never to be seen again. I'm sorry."

Nivenor: "Brand-Shei, do you think you can find me some theilul?"  
Brand-Shei: "The Argonian sugar-cane wine? It's pretty hard to get around here. Very expensive."  
Nivenor: "That's fine. I have a special occasion coming up, and I'd like to have it."  
Brand-Shei: "I'll see what I can do."''

Notes
There is a "Loot" shadowmark on the front of his market stall.
Both his merchant chest and his service faction, as well as several object references in Riften, are named after Brandish in the Creation Kit.
A second key with the same name as the key to his strongbox (Brand-Shei's Strongbox Key) can be obtained through the "Wax Key" perk after installing Dragonborn. The key opens a strongbox in Raven Rock Mine and all the East Empire Company Strongboxes, but there is no apparent connection with Brand-Shei himself.

Bugs
 
 Using the console command   fixes this.