Oblivion:Savlian Matius

Savlian Matius''', an Imperial soldier, is the acting Captain of the Kvatch guard. He helped many people escape the terrible Daedric attack on the city. However, Brother Martin and more survivors along with two guards were trapped in the Chapel. You'll work with him both in rescuing the survivors and liberating the city. Matius will also provide one soldier when asked during the Allies for Bruma quest.

He wears a Kvatch cuirass and chainmail gauntlets with greaves and boots. He wields a Kvatch shield and a silver longsword. Savlian also carries a brown shirt which he will equip when he gives away his cuirass as well as a small amount of gold.

During the Find the Heir quest, Jauffre will send you on your way to Kvatch to locate Martin. When you arrive to the refugee camp south of Kvatch, Hirtel, busy from fleeing from the Daedric invasion, will be the first to tell you about Savlian: ''"It was Savlian Matius... some of the other guards... helped some of us escape... they cut their way out, right through the city gates. Savlian says they can hold the road. No... no, I don't believe him. Nothing can stop them. If you'd seen it, you'd know..." Asking around in the camp will net you the following information: "You'll find him at the barricade at the top of the road. He's still trying to hold what's left of the Guard together." When you arrive at the barricade near the open Oblivion Gate, you will find Savlian and two Kvatch Guards, Jesan Rilian and Merandil, fighting an unfair fight against the Daedra. Merandil will provide a bit of information as well: "Savlian's not really the captain, you know. We're just following him because he's the highest ranking officer left alive." Captain or not, Savlian will run head-first into battle every time a new set of Daedra spawns from the Gate; when not fighting he will join the two other guards behind the barricade.

When you finally approach the busy Captain, he will say: "Stand back, civilian! This is no place for you. Get back to the encampment at once!" When asked about recent events, he will give you all the details: "We lost the damned city, that's what happened! It was too much, too fast. We were overwhelmed. Couldn't even get everyone out. There are still people trapped in there. Some made it into the Chapel, but others were just run down in the streets. The Count and his men are still holed up in the castle. And now we can't even get back into the city to help them, with that damned Oblivion Gate blocking the way." Obviously, Savlian has got his hands full. When asked about his strategies for now, all he can say is: "The only thing we can do. We'll try to hold our ground, that's what. If we can't hold this barricade, those beasts could march right down and overrun the encampment. I have to try and protect the few civilians that are left. It's all I can do now." Frustrated by the presence of the Oblivion Gate and the endless stream of Daedra, he will describe Kvatch: "My home.... my goddamn home, in flames. It kills me that I can't get in there and DO something. We couldn't have been any less prepared for this. Seems like they came out of nowhere. There were just so many of them... If only I had a way to strike back at the enemy. But we can't leave the barricade until that Oblivion Gate is closed." You an also ask him about Martin at this point; he will then provide the needed info: "You mean the priest? Last I saw him, he was leading a group towards the Chapel of Akatosh. If he's lucky, he's trapped in there with the rest of them, at least safe for the moment. If he's not..." Finally, he will try and explain the weird and never-before-seen Gate outside Kvatch: "Some kind of portal to Oblivion. The enemy used them to attack the city -- they appeared outside the walls and daedra poured out! They've opened one right in front of the city gates. Until that Gate is closed, the best I can do is try to hold these barricades."

When you finally offer your help, triggering the quest Breaking the Siege of Kvatch, he will be confused: "You want to help? You're kidding, right? Hmm... if you're serious, maybe I can put you to use. It'll likely mean your death, though. Are you sure?" If you choose the answer no he will simply reply with: "That's what the Empire has come to. I doubt any of the other cities will be sending us aid either. Every man for himself these days." If you approach him again, he will repeat: "While that infernal Oblivion Gate still stands, I don't dare leave the camp undefended. Are you willing to try and close it?" When you accept, he will provide the tiny bit of knowledge he has: "I don't know how to close this Gate, but it must be possible, because the enemy closed the ones they opened during the initial attack. You can see the marks on the ground where they were, with the Great Gate right in the middle. I sent men into the Gate, to see if they could find a way to shut it. They haven't come back. If you can get in there, find out what happened to them. If they're alive, help them finish the job. If not, see what you can do on your own. The best I can say is, good luck. If you make it back alive, we'll be waiting for you." When exiting conversation, Savlian will wrap it up: "Good luck. It's a brave thing you're doing."

After your victorious return from the Kvatch Gate, a seemingly happy Savlian will welcome you back: "You closed the Gate? I knew you could do it! This is our chance to launch a counterattack! I need you to come with us. You've got far more combat experience than these men. Are you able to join us now? I can wait, but not for long. We've got to move quickly, before they have a chance to barricade the city gate." If you prefer to ready yourself before the attack, he will say: "The longer we wait, the smaller our window of opportunity. Get ready, and do it quickly. We've got to move soon." If you accept to participate, the Captain will simply yell: "For Kvatch!", then run head-first into the ruined City along with his men, fighting all the Daedra outside the Chapel of Akatosh. When all enemies have been disposed of, he will approach you: "Ha ha! We wiped the bastards out! It's safe to pull those people out of the chapel. Let's get in there and make sure they're all right. Come on. This is only the beginning of the battle for Kvatch. We can discuss the next phase once the civilians are safe."

thumb|right|"That's it? There's no one else?"
Once inside the Chapel, Savlian will engage in conversation with Kvatch Guard Tierra, starting with: 
:Savlian: "Report, soldier."
:Tierra: "Sir, we're all that's left. Berich Inian, myself, and these civilians."
:Savlian: "That's it? There's no one else?"
:Tierra: "There were others, sir. But they refused to stay put. We tried to convince them it was dangerous, but they left anyway. I guess they didn't make it."
:Savlian: "Very well. The area outside the Chapel has been cleared, and these people need to be taken to safety. Escort them to the camp south of here at once."
:Tierra: "But, sir! I want to help fight!"
:Savlian: "You will, soldier. Once they're secure, get back here immediately. We'll need every available blade, and there'll be plenty of fighting to go around."
:Tierra:  "Sir, yes sir! Civilians! It's time to move out! Let's go!"

Tierra and the other refugees will then seek shelter in the nearby camp, while Savlian will stay behind in the Chapel. When you approach him at this time, the quest The Battle for Castle Kvatch will be initiated as there are still loads of enemies swarming Castle Kvatch: "We've done it! I can't believe it -- I didn't really think this would work. Maybe we do have a fighting chance. Oh, yes. We're not done. Not even close. This was only the first step. If this town is to be ours again, we'll need to get inside the castle. You've come this far with us; will you go further? If we're truly going to succeed, I'll need much more of your help. I warn you though, what we've seen so far is nothing compared to the battle that likely awaits us. Take a few moments to catch your breath and think it over. When you're ready, let me know, and we'll get underway." After your break, he will ask: "Are you ready to go? We need your help getting to the castle, but we need to move soon." If you reject he will angrily say: "How many times can I say it? There's no time to waste! Hurry it up!" If you accept, he will make a nervous laugh and give you some pointers: "Ha ha, I knew you'd be up to it! Our goal is the Castle gate. We should be able to use this door to get out to the plaza in front of the Castle gatehouse. You know the drill. Stick close, and keep your eyes open. Let's move out!" He will then draw his sword and run out the northern set of Chapel doors.

When all enemies in the first area have been wiped out, Savlian will realize that his surprise attack plans has to be changed: "Dammit, this is no good! The gates are locked, and the only way to open them is from within the gatehouse." He will then come up with yet another plan: "We can't open that gate from out here. The only mechanism for raising it is inside the gatehouse. And the only way to get into the gatehouse now would be through the passage at the North Guard House. But that's always kept locked. Hurry and find Berich Inian. He should be back in the Chapel, and should still have the key to the Guard House. Once you've got it, get to the Guard House, find the passage, and open that gate. Then we can get inside the castle and secure it." 

When you have opened the gate, Savlian and the remaining men will storm into the last exterior area of Kvatch and fight the Daedra; afterwards, he will seek you out with even more orders and inform you that the objective is the ruler of Kvatch, Count Ormellius Goldwine: "This area's clear. We've got to get inside and find the Count before it's too late. Move out!" He will then run into the Great Hall of the Castle and tirelessly fight all opposition. When all is said and done, he will position himself near the entrance and hand you the final orders: "All right, this is it! We'll hold this area. You head to the back of the castle, and find the Count. Don't come back here without him!" If approached again, the impatient Captain will yell: "You need to find the Count! Get moving!" After the final battle and your discovery of the deceased Count, a scared Savlian will comment: "Where is the Count? Why is he not with you?"'' If you choose the cold-hearted approach and tell Savlian that Count Goldwine was 'lying face-down in a pool of his own blood' he will get seriously angry: ''"How dare you mock him, even in death! Had you not been instrumental in getting this far, I'd put you down where you stand. Where is the Count's ring? Do you have it?"'' If you choose the more human approach and tell him 'I'm sorry. He didn't make it', he will react differently: ''"We... we were too late? If only we'd gotten here sooner! This is indeed a dark day for all of us left. But I thank you for risking your own life to help us. Did you find the Count's ring, by any chance?" When you hand him the Colovian Signet Ring Savlian will finally wrap it up and reward you with his unique, enchanted Kvatch Cuirass: "At least this is safe. Thank you; I shall make sure it is protected, for the time when a new Count is crowned. Here, take this. I have no use for it; I'm tired of fighting. It may serve you well in days to come." Savlian will then stay behind in the Main Hall for the rest of the game; when approached he will reveal: "Kvatch was rebuilt from ruins once before and she'll do it again. You have my thanks."

During the quest Allies for Bruma, Savlian can be of help, but only if you helped him free the castle; if not, he will respond with: "I hate to refuse you, my friend. But with the castle still in the hands of those daedra, I need every soldier I have left." If you already helped him free the castle, he will happily send aid to Bruma: "I have few enough men to spare, but you have more than earned our help. I will send what aid I can. Bruma must not share the fate of our city!"''

 
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