Oblivion:Carahil

Carahil, a High Elf spellsword, is the head of the Anvil Mages Guild as well as being the only advanced Illusion trainer in the whole of Cyrodiil. She is famous for being a staunch supporter of Arch-Mage Traven's positions on Necromancy.

She lives a relatively peaceful existence: she wakes up at 7am and then spends most of the day, from 8am to 8pm, reading the cheap text Biography of Barenziah, v 2 behind the desk in the entrance hall of the Guild building. She then eats dinner from 9pm to midnight, when she heads to sleep in her bed in the Library. If, for any reason, she cannot perform these actions, she will wander around the Guild building. She offers training when she isn't eating or sleeping.

She wears upper class attire consisting of a black & burgundy outfit and a pair of gold trimmed shoes. She also carries a small amount of gold and her copy of Biography of Barenziah, v 2. She doesn't wield any weapons, relying instead on a leveled Illusion spell (either silence, chameleon or invisibility), a standard restore fatigue spell and a set of leveled spellsword spells.

When you meet her for the first time, before having joined the Guild, she will welcome you and offer you membership: ''"Hello there. Is there something with which I can assist you? Perhaps you're curious about joining the Mages Guild?" If you accept, she will grant you membership with the words: "All right, then. You're now an Associate of the Mages Guild. Congratulations! You'll need to receive a recommendation from each local guild hall in Cyrodiil to advance in the guild, and be given any sort of responsibility. They can be done in any order, but they all must be sent in to the Council before you can enter the Arcane University."

When asked about Anvil and the Guild, she will reveal her hatred for Necromancy and her appraisal of Hannibal Traven: "The Anvil Mages guild is proud to follow the example Hannibal Traven sets for us: mastery and scholarship free of the dark arts." and "Arch-Mage Traven was right to ban Necromancy, and place restrictions on the addition of new members to the guild. He's served us well." On the University itself, she has the following observations; "Arch-Mage Traven has closed the doors of the University to all who are not qualified to enter. A wise decision, in my opinion. It's in the Imperial City; perhaps some day you may be able to visit him there. He's done wonderful things for this guild."

thumb|right|Carahil sends you right into the action
When you ask her for a recommendation, she will start with a warning: "Unlike some frivolous tasks you may be given at other guild halls, this is a serious matter, and has consequences. Are you prepared?" She will then task you with some strange assaults on traveling merchants along the Gold Road: "Then allow me to explain the task. The Council of Mages has entrusted me with resolving a situation along the Gold Road. Several traveling merchants have been found dead along the Gold Road recently, with even more missing. The Council has asked that I put a stop to it. You are going to help me do so." If you ask her if the task is dangerous she will say: "Indeed, it may well be. I see no reason to shelter you from situations the guild deals with on a daily basis. This is the important work, the work that matters. I have no time for guild recruits that are useless in the field. This will be an excellent way for you to prove yourself." She will also explain why she chose you to handle the situation: "As you are new to the guild, you are less likely to be recognized as a member. This may give you an advantage in getting to the root of the problem. We believe the killings are the actions of a rogue mage. Battlemages have been sent to the Brina Cross Inn, the only common link between the victims. You are to travel north to the Brina Cross Inn, and speak with Arielle Jurard. She will give you further instructions." She will also reflect on the many victims along the Gold Road: "It's a sad thing, to think that a mage would kill helpless merchants for the wares they carry." She will also admit: "This is a harsh, dangerous task for you, I realize. Your unfamiliar face makes you most useful, however. And, what better way to learn the many uses of Restoration? Practical application is often the best educator. Even in life and death situations." When you finally ask her about the Rogue Mage, she will hand you three scrolls of frost shell with the words: "Some mages do not abide by the principles of the guild, and operate outside its boundaries. Many hold little value for the lives of others. The frost burns found on the victims in this case indicate a mage was responsible for their deaths. Likely nothing more than simple robbery. These scrolls should provide sufficient resistance to frost magic, when and if you do encounter this rogue mage. Use them wisely." She will then elaborate: "The scrolls I have given you should protect you from the magic the mage seems to use most frequently, but do not let your guard down. He may have more tricks up his sleeve." She will finally explain a bit about Brina Cross Inn and give you a final warning: "The Inn lies north of Anvil. Speak with Arielle Jurard when you arrive. She will give you further instructions. Do not let your guard down. We do not know whether the Inn's staff is involved somehow."

After the confrontation with the Rogue Mage, with the inevitable result, Carahil will ask: "So, what of the Rogue mage? Has he been found?" When you reveal the true identity of the mage, she will surprised but will still hand you the recommendation and offer a final piece of advice: "A she, you say? And she's dead? Well, Arielle and Roliand did what needed to be done. No more innocent deaths. At least, for now. You have done well enough for yourself. I'll pass along my recommendation to Raminus. Though I must say, I doubt it will do you much good in the end. You'd be surprised how easily they forget about the little people." If you speak to Carahil once you have all the recommendations she will say: "You have received recommendations from every guild hall, have you not? Then you are ready to advance to the Arcane University. Raminus Polus will want to speak with you. I must say, you will be a credit to the guild. Arch-Mage Traven will be lucky to have you there."''

thumb|right|Carahil's domain
After the events on the Gold Road, the Anvil townsfolk will say: "The Anvil guild has made quite a name for itself under Carahil. Did you hear about the recent murderer they caught?" and ''"The roads near Anvil are safer now, thanks to Carahil and her guild hall. She's an example for us all." and will also recognize her talents with magic: "From what I know, Carahil is a powerful mage. I suppose she should be, if she's going to be in the Mages Guild." However, while some will comment on her power with reverence, stating "I've heard Carahil is a powerful illusionist. No wonder she's the ranking mage here in Anvil." and "I understand Carahil knows more about Illusion than any other mage in Anvil. Of course, she only shares that knowledge with the Mages Guild.", other citizens will be quite skeptical: "I just don't trust those mages. I especially don't trust ones who can play with your mind like that." According to the Guide to Anvil she is "a scholar of good reputation and an outspoken enemy of necromancy, summoning, and the dark arts"'', and therefore has Alessia Ottus' stamp of approval. Furthermore, if you ask her fellow guildmember Thaurron, he will tell you that ''"Carahil supported Arch-Mage Traven's appointment from the beginning, and I don't believe the rumors that she just wanted his job at this hall." Marc Gulitte will also have a thing or two to say about her: "Carahil inherited the Anvil Mages Guild chapter from Hannibal Traven, the Archmage. She runs a clean hall, just like Traven did." and "Carahil's a good leader. She's been a staunch supporter of the Council of Mages for as long as I've known her.".

She took over the Anvil chapter once Hannibal Traven ascended to the rank of Arch-Mage. Earlier in her life, however, Carahil led a group of mages against the necromancer Lorgren Benirus and attempted to destroy him. After you have finished the Where Spirits Have Lease quest, she will congratulate you on managing to complete what she had started: "I've heard you were able to lift the curse from Benirus Manor and destroy Lorgren Benirus once and for all. I thank you for completing the task I set about to do long ago. His unholy craft will no longer threaten the citizens of Anvil. Well done!"

As an advanced Illusion trainer, she can provide you with the reference needed to initiate the Illusion Master Training quest. Speak to her when your Illusion skill is 70 or above and choose the training option, which will trigger the quest and the following dialogue: "Martina Floria at the Arcane University has a much better mastery of Illusion spells than I. You should travel there and speak with her."
Related Quests



Notes
Carahil has a normal greeting which can never be heard due to her Mages Guild dialogue always taking precedence, she would have briefly introduced herself with the words "I'm the Wizard Carahil, Mages Guild, master of the Anvil chapter."''