Oblivion:Tar-Meena

Tar-Meena, an Argonian sorceress, is a Master-Wizard of the Mages Guild and the Keeper of the Mystic Archives at the Arcane University. She is widely regarded as an expert in Daedric cults. Thanks to her extensive knowledge, she will help you in your research of both the Mythic Dawn and Necromancer cults.

She has a somewhat out of phase schedule: she sleeps from 6pm until midnight in the basement of the Mages' Quarters and then exits the building to reach the Mystic Archives, where she will spend the rest of her day. For the next four hours, she will select a text from the Archives to read and further broaden her knowledge. From 4am until 6pm, she will pace restlessly around the ground floor of the building, breaking off at midday for an hour of spell casting practice. The only change to this schedule is during The Path of Dawn quest, when she will be found all day long in the Arch-Mage's Lobby, if you don't have access to the campus yet.

She wears the standard mage's robe but no shoes. She also carries a copy of two common texts: Manual of Spellcraft and Fundaments of Alchemy. Her only other possession is a leveled amount of gold.  She doesn't wield any weapons, relying instead on a set of leveled spells from all of the magical schools but Mysticism. During The Path of Dawn, once Tar-Meena has realized that Mankar Camoran has hidden a message inside his books, she will have the first and second volumes of Mythic Dawn Commentaries added to her inventory. 

Once you are allowed on the campus and pay a visit to the Archives, she'll greet you by informing you about the strict rules she imposes: "Tar-Meena. This is my Mystic Archives. Keep it neat. Keep it quiet. No eating in the stacks." She absolutely dislikes the Imperial City, and it is evident she will never venture in the city: "Too big for me. Loud, dirty, Clowns, fools, brutes and thieves everywhere. I want to just throw my gold away. I just dump it in Lake Rumare, save time." She is partial to the Mystic Archives, however, and will tell something you about it, should you select the Mages Guild dialogue option: "The Mystic Archives have a large collection of books. Look around, and you might learn a thing or two." If you ask her about the Mythic Dawn, she will say, "A secretive cult devoted to the Daedra Lord Mehrunes Dagon, the Prince of Destruction. They follow the teachings of Mankar Camoran, who calls for the return of the Mythic Age when Oblivion and the mortal world were not separate. The usual daedric claptrap of the purifying power of Destruction. They hope to bring Mehrunes Dagon back to Tamriel and give us all a good Cleansing."
 
Related Quests



Quest-Related Events
The Path of Dawn
Due to her wide knowledge concerning the Mythic Dawn, Baurus will direct you to her to unravel the mysteries of the Commentaries on the Mysterium Xarxes with the words: "''There's a scholar at the Arcane University. Tar-Meena's her name. Supposed to be an expert on daedric cults. Why don't you take that book to her, see what she makes of it. I'll keep running down leads on the Mythic Dawn network." On Tar-Meena herself, Baurus will add: "Like I said, she's one of the brains over at the Arcane University. Supposed to know everything there is to know about daedric cults." He will bid you farewell with the words: "I hope you learn something from Tar-Meena about that book. This might just be the break we need." 

In the Mystic Archives, Tar-Meena will be expecting you: "Ah. You must be the one I got the message about. How can I help you?" When you mention the Mythic Dawn cult, she will ask: "You know of them? One of the most secretive of all the daedric cults. Not much is known about them. They follow the teachings of Mankar Camoran, whom they call the Master. A shadowy figure in his own right."'' When you show her the copy of the Mythic Dawn Commentaries 1 you took from Astav Wirich's slain body, she will say: "Ah yes. "Commentaries on the Mysterium Xarxes," wonderful! You have a scholarly interest in daedric cults, then?" She will also provide a few clues on how to find the cult: ''"Find them, eh? I won't poke my nose any further. Official business and all that. I'm used to working with the Blades, don't worry. Say no more. In any case, finding them won't be easy. I've studied Mankar Camoran's writings a bit myself, at least those that I could find. It is clear from the text that Mankar Camoran's "Commentaries" come in four volumes, but I've only ever seen the first two books. I believe that his writings contain hidden clues to the location of the Mythic Dawn's secret shrine to Mehrunes Dagon. Those who unlock this hidden path have proven themselves worthy to join the ranks of the Mythic Dawn cult. Finding the shrine is the first test. If you want to find them, you'll need all four volumes of the "Commentaries.""'' Finally, she will hand you the Archives' copy of Volume 2; ''"Here, you can have the library's copy of Volume 2. Treat it gently, if you please! As I said, I've never even seen the third and fourth volumes. You should try First Edition, over in the Market District. Phintias, the proprietor, caters to specialist collectors. He may have an idea of where to locate those books." She will then bid farewell cheerfully: "It was so nice chatting with you. Be sure to let me know how your hunt for the Mythic Dawn turns out."

She will also tell you a thing or two about Mankar Camoran and the books itself: "The supposed leader of the Mythic Dawn cult. He wrote the infamous "Commentaries on the Mysterium Xarxes". The "Commentaries" are contemporary with Tiber Septim, over 400 years ago. So he is unlikely to be still alive, although you never know." and "The holy book of the Mythic Dawn. Supposedly written by Mehrunes Dagon himself. If it exists, it would be an artifact of great - and evil - power." Finally, she will provide a bit of additional information about the Mythic Dawn: "They worship the daedra lord Mehrunes Dagon, according to the teachings of their leader, Mankar Camoran. No one knows how widespread the cult is, or where their shrine to Mehrunes Dagon is located." 

Once you have found all four books, she will help you shed light on the mystery: "To find their secret shrine to Mehrunes Dagon, you'll need to study the four volumes of Mankar Camoran's "Commentaries." It is a fairly common practice of these kinds of esoteric cults to put hidden messages within their sacred writings. In effect, simply by finding their way to the shrine, prospective members have already passed the first test on the road to "enlightenment." You've piqued my   about this puzzle. I will think on it myself and let you know if I have any ideas. Check back with me tomorrow after I've given this matter some thought." She will say goodbye with: "I'll keep studying the first two volumes of the "Commentaries." Who knows, I might turn up something before you do!" Once you give her a day to think about it, she will enlighten you some more: "I turned up copies of the first two volumes from my colleagues, and I spent a little time rereading them. Mankar Camoran certainly is a fascinating writer. Undoubtedly insane, but fascinating. Ah, but more to the point, it appears to me that the first words of each paragraph may be significant. A message may be hidden there. I'll continue to study the problem. Come by tomorrow if you like. I may think of something else." She will now say goodbye with: "The first words of each paragraph are the key, I'm sure of it! Well, I shouldn't keep you. Goodbye." After another day of deliberation, she has a breakthrough: "I think I may have figured out the hidden message in Mankar Camoran's books! Do you have the third and fourth volumes with you?" If you do have them, she will solve the code: "Excellent. Let's see ... yes! The first letter of each paragraph spells out a message! Write this down: "Green Emperor Way Where Tower Touches Midday Sun." Are you familiar with Green Emperor Way? The gardens around the Imperial Palace. Something must be revealed there at noon! How exciting!" Once you are off on your way she will wish you luck: "I've half a mind to go down to Green Emperor Way myself and see what's there ... Well, good luck! I hope you find what you're looking for." If you however do not have the books with you she will be disappointed: "Oh. I was hoping to see if I was on the right track. Well, if you bring them to me I may be able to help you with your puzzle."'' 

Necromancer's Moon
During the Mages Guild quest 'Necromancers Moon', Raminus Polus will ask you to find out about Black Soul Gems, and he will point you to Tar-Meena: "''I'd like you to speak with Tar-Meena at the Mystic Archives. She is our specialist on magicka arcana, and has been helping gather information. I believe we have been asking her the wrong questions, taxing her too much with vague attempts to make sense of all that we know. Speak with her specifically about these Black Soul Gems. If she knows anything about their powers or creation." He further elaborate: "Her expertise in arcane knowledge and lore could be invaluable to us, if we can make proper use of it. She can likely be found in the Archives now, poring through materials on Necromancy. She stops only to sleep, at the Arch-Mage's request."

She will not be very friendly initially: "I don't have time to help you now!" When you speak to her she will be weary from all the growing pressure from the Council of Mages: "Err, look. If you're here for information, I'm afraid you'll have to find it out on your own. I'm swamped right now; up to my ears in Necromancy. Not Practicing it, mind you. Wouldn't want anyone to think I was involved in that sort of thing. I simply meant researching it." When asked, why she is so busy she will respond sarcastically: "Why? Why? Oh, no real reason. It's just that the entire Council of Mages has been in here at one time or another recently, all wanting information on Necromancers. Necromancy, of all things!" When you explain that you was ordered to find her she will still refuse to take it seriously: "Oh, of course you were! No doubt the Council is trying to get you to bother me further. I ran Caranya out of here a short while ago, and told them to leave me alone! I keep telling them, I can't produce results if I'm not given any time! I'm not used to working under conditions like this!" When you express your desire to help, she will inform you that there is nothing you can do: "Help? No offense, but I don't see how you can so that. Unless you'd like to take some of this work off my shoulders, I'm beyond helping. But I do appreciate the sentiment. If there's anything specific you need, that may be more reasonable then just asking about Necromancers." 

When you ask her about Black Soul Gems, she will be glad that there is something she can work towards: "Hmm. Now that is a bit more specific. Finally, something I can respond to! Let me think for a moment... Oh yes! There's one obscure text that references these gems. I believe it's still around here someplace, unless Falcar never returned it. The name of the book is "Necromancer's Moon." I'm unclear on the origins of the text, but it does involve these gems you're interested in. I'm afraid you'll have to find it yourself. I'm so out of sort with all these requests. I've lost track of most everything. It's very distressing." When pursued about the book she will ask you to find it before discussing it: "I believe you'll find it quite helpful. Once you've had a chance to read it, I'd be happy to discuss it with you." She will complain about the sudden work load thrusted upon her with Necromancers: "Hrmph. Why all the fuss now? I thought it would have died down by now, what with the ban on the practice of Necromancy in the guild being in place as long as it has. And yet suddenly everyone shows up on my doorstep, needing information immediately. Nevermind that I might have things of my own to work on." Speaking to her again will yield  the following response: "Have you found "Necromancer's Moon?" Once you have recovered it she will comment: "A most interesting text, is it not? We are fortunate that at least one necromancer took the time to record the information. I am unfamiliar with the "Shade of the Revenant" described within the book, but I was never one to dabble in the more, shall we say amoral arts. You may take that with you for now, if you wish. The Council may have use for it. Please ask them to return it quickly, as I may need it again."'' 

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