Online:Captain Caudex

Captain Anatolius Caudex is an Imperial soldier of the Imperial Legion found in the Nobles District of the Imperial City. He leads the  , a group of Imperial soldiers who remain loyal to the Empire and have been granted a form of immortality by an  . He represents Akatosh among the Eight Divines.
 

Related Quests



Quest-Related Events
The Imperial Standard
You'll enter the Improvised Garrison at the behest of Zelanus Equitius. While you're approaching the entrance to the garrison for the first time during the quest, he tells his soldiers to hold off on killing you.
:Captain Caudex: "Hold your fire! That might be a survivor!"

Speak with him on the second floor of the garrison.
:''"Didn't expect to see any mortal faces today—not living ones anyway. You must be new. Provincial militia, right? You've got the look of one."
:Provincials?
:"The Covenant. The Pact. The Dominion. The bull-headed armies tearing each other apart on the fields of Cyrodiil while Daedric beasts lounge on the throne. If you've come to ask me to join my banner to yours, you can walk right back out that door."
:Actually, I'm here to help you. One of your soldiers sent me.
:"Zel. He always sees the best in people. That's why I had to drag him, bleeding, out of a legionary stockade. He couldn't believe our superiors would betray us and hand the city to Molag Bal. Me, I see the worst in people. That's why I'm still alive."
:So you don't want my help?
:"I didn't say that. Desperate times demand flexibility. Molag Bal's lapdogs are preparing for another assault. My soldiers are exhausted and the door braces are near to breaking. We need help. If you're willing to fight, you'd have my thanks."
:I'll help defend your garrison doors from Molag Bal's army.

You can ask him a few questions before proceeding with your task.
:"Our weak points are blocked doors on the north, west, and south sides. Zel's scouting for attacks, so if he thinks the Daedra are going to hit a door, he'll mark it with a sigil. Look for that sigil and wait. Zel will update you whenever he can."
:How have eight soldiers held this garrison for two months?
:"Through some of the best soldiering I've ever seen. These soldiers are lions. Stubborn as High Rock mules. We've also been lucky. Very lucky. I figure we've made things so damned difficult that the Daedra have found better things to do."
:Is that all there is to it?
:"That almost sounds like you don't trust us. Don't worry, the feeling's mutual. But for now, I need you to send those Daedra back where they came from and protect my people. We'll talk again after the assault. If you live through it, of course."

When you approach the western door, Captain Caudex calls out a Legion Zero siege.
:Captain Caudex: "We've got legion traitors approaching from the west. Cut them down!"

Statius Vettiena will join your defense after the first wave of enemies falls.
:Statius Vettiena: "Those who sided with Bal are traitors. Now they face judgment."
:Captain Caudex: "Another wave incoming! Keep  !"

After the second wave goes down, Captain Caudex restores the door to full stability.
:Statius Vettiena: "Stendarr! Lend me your power so I may deliver justice to these traitors!"
:Captain Caudex: "We've reinforced the door! Keep it up!"''

The third wave at the western door consists primarily of Daedra. Once they're defeated:
:Statius Vettiena: "The masters have joined the dogs. They, too, will be judged."
:Captain Caudex: "Another group inbound!"

After the fourth wave is defeated, Captain Caudex calls out the boss, a Legion Commander.
:Captain Caudex: "Another wave incoming!"

Captain Caudex will inform you that Daedra are besieging the southern door.
:Captain Caudex: ''"There's a big group of Daedra headed for the south door. Hold them back!"

Arrianus Capius joins you after the first wave is down.
:Arrianus Capius: "Fear not. Arkay will protect us, so long as we smite his enemies, these foul Daedra."
:Captain Caudex: "Keep  !"''

Captain Caudex doesn't speak after the second wave, as Justianas Gratus appears on the scaffolding to assist by throwing down spells. Captain Caudex does return for the end of the third wave:
:Captain Caudex: "Another group inbound! This looks like the last of them! Keep fighting!"

After the fourth wave goes down, the captain heralds the arrival of a boss: a Flesh Colossus.
:Captain Caudex: ''"That's the last of them! Wait … there's something else. What is that?"
:Captain Caudex: "I don't know what that thing is, but take it down! Now!"

Captain Caudex calls out a group of Daedra besieging the northern door.
:Captain Caudex: "We've got Daedra assaulting the northern door. Get over there and take them down!"''

Dulcilla Iullus shows up on the scaffolding above the northern door while you're defending it, after the second wave of enemies goes down. She fires arrows down at the incoming Daedra.
:Dulcilla Iullus: ''"Hey now, did you think I'd let you have all the fun?"
:Captain Caudex: "Heads up! More of Bal's lackeys on the way!"''

Kyleus Herminia will show up on the scaffolding above the northern door while you're defending it, after the second wave of enemies goes down.
:Dulcilla Iullus: ''"Oooh! That'll leave a mark!"
:Kyleus Herminia: "Fools! Now you face the storm!"
:Captain Caudex: "We've reinforced the door! Keep it up!"
:Dulcilla Iullus: "Heads up, sweetie."''

He doesn't speak after the third wave, but he does after the fourth.
:Captain Caudex: "Another wave incoming! Get ready!"

If a door is broken down, he says:
:Captain Caudex: ''"They've broken through! Fall back! Hold the inner doors!"''

You'll need to speak with Captain Caudex back up in the garrison after you've defended all three doors.
:''"That was some damn fine soldiering out there. Nothing I didn't expect, but it's refreshing to have something go right."
:Now can you tell me how you've held out for so long?
:"I suppose it's time for that. It's all due to a scroll. Old magic. Just before Molag Bal's assault on Imperial City, a group of priests unearthed an ancient scroll they claimed dated back to the time of St. Alessia. Never asked where they found it."
:Is this scroll really that old?
:"Do I look like a priest? All I know is one of them, Father Egnatius, was obsessed with it. He brought it to me and urged me to keep it safe. I wrote it off as nonsense until I had my first dream. It came the night before the city fell."
:What was this dream about?
:"I saw the empress regent and her generals taking Molag Bal's hand. I heard creaking chains and smelled charred flesh …. Then I saw the scroll. It was just out of reach, covered in blood. Woke up screaming. After that, I knew I had to keep it safe."
:So how has an old scroll helped you defend the garrison?
:"Like I said, it carries some kind of enchantment … magic strong enough to bring us back when we fall in battle. It's not pleasant, mind you, and each time I come back I feel less like myself. But it's kept us fighting. Simply put, we can't die."
:So this scroll made all eight of you immortal?
:"So long as we hold the garrison … so long as we keep fighting, yes. Zel's taken to calling us the "Immortal Eight." Nonsense, but I let him do it. It's good for morale. There's more. Some of the dreams that scroll sent me involved you."
:Me?
:"These were prophetic dreams, like the one that warned me of the invasion and betrayal. I dreamed you would come for the scroll, along with a masked woman. I knew we had to protect it for you. And so we have. Now, you should take it."
:So I should take this to the masked woman? The Drake of Blades?
:"It's for both of you … but her especially. I can't say more. You'd best go find her. Somehow, I'm certain this scroll is key to stopping whatever Molag Bal has planned for our city. Keep it safe."
:All right. I'll take this scroll to the Drake of Blades.

You can ask him a few more questions before leaving.
:"I have a feeling we'll be seeing each other again, soon. This war is far from over. Until then, watch your back, soldier."
:If I take this scroll, won't you lose your immortality?
::"Honestly? I don't know. But it doesn't matter.  This building used to be a forum, did you know that? Just bricks, and old ledgers, and broken chairs. But now, it's something more. This garrison is the Empire. I'll see it defended, whatever the cost."
:You said each time you come back, you feel less like yourself?
::"Indeed. It's like … shedding warm clothes in a heavy snow. We just get leaner. Colder. The first time I died, I was crushed by a siege engine. The next day, I just woke up—muddy, but no worse for the wear. Old Maxima almost had a stroke."
::Doesn't losing parts of yourself worry you?
::"This garrison—this city is all that matters. I will grind whatever grist the mill requires to protect it, even at the price of my soul. Some of us are more conflicted than others—Arrianus especially. But he fights on anyway. We all do."

The Sublime Brazier
When you enter the Ancient Underground, the Drake of Blades will notice that you have unwanted guests.
:Drake of Blades: "Malivus. He's already here! Damn."''
: 
:General Malivus: "Take that door down!"
:Drake of Blades: ''"They didn't skimp. Malivus brought his entire elite guard. I hope you brought more than planks and nails, Caudex."
:Father Egnatius: "They haven't breached the doors yet. Akatosh is with us."
:Captain Caudex: "I sent soldiers ahead to barricade the doors. They'll hold. I'm just not sure for how long."

When you enter the Dragonfire Cathedral, Father Egnatius will lead you to the Brazier.
:Father Egnatius: "The Sublime Brazier should be this way. Follow me."
:Captain Caudex: "I sent my soldiers outside to cause some havoc—keep the Daedra off-guard. I'd bet they're doing just that."''

When you enter the Brazier's chamber, Egnatius and the Drake will approach it.
:Father Egnatius: "The time has come, my friend. You must kneel before the Brazier."
:Drake of Blades: "Right. To show humility … obedience. I can do obedient. Just watch me."
: 
:Father Egnatius: "Lord Akatosh, Dragon-God of Time, a faithful supplicant kneels before you. She has served you for many lean years. Let her service now be everlasting!"
:Father Egnatius: "Grant her your divine power. Bless her with the strength to defend this holy cathedral, and the will to endure a life of seclusion."
:Father Egnatius: "Drape your exalted wings around her, and your works will be-"
: 
:Captain Caudex: "Hurry it up, Father. Molag Bal is knocking."
:Drake of Blades: ''"Don't rush the man, Captain. But yes, Egnatius, you really should hurry this up."
:General Malivus: "Assault the Cathedral! Destroy the Brazier! Leave none alive!"
:Father Egnatius: "This ritual cannot be interrupted! You must hold the Cathedral until it is complete. Go!"
:Captain Caudex: "Follow me. Let's go send these Daedric beasts back to Oblivion!"''

Once you've defeated 40 Daedra, Malivus sends in a Daedroth to act as a siege weapon.
:General Malivus: "Useless fools! Send in the beast!"
:Captain Caudex: ""The beast?" By the Eight … Daedroth! Get down!"

Once the Daedroth falls, Caudex orders you to fall back to the Brazier.
:Captain Caudex: "Fall back! We make our stand at the Brazier! Go!"

Dialogue
If you speak to him after completing The Imperial Standard, he'll say:
:" "

If you speak to him in the Nobles District after completing the Sublime Brazier, he will say:
:''"Ah! It's good to see you again. That business in the Cathedral … it makes for quite a story. Too bad we have to take it to the grave. Feel free to stay here as long as you like. We can always use the help."
:What have you been doing since we left the Cathedral?
:"Defending the garrison, what else? Protecting the Brazier was a significant victory, but Molag Bal has no intention of leaving quietly. I intend to stay here until every one of these Daedra, cultists, and traitors are dead and buried."
:Is the scroll's enchantment still working?
:"Couldn't tell you. We haven't suffered any mortal injuries yet―hopefully we keep that streak. Can't afford any losses if we expect to hold this place. With any luck, Akatosh saved a little favor for us. I guess we'll find out eventually."''