Online:Shelaria

Shelaria is a Redguard found in Unhallowed Grave. She is the last of an ancient fraternity of guardians called the Pyre Watch who are sworn to protect the burial site from those who would seek to enter it, and to prevent anything inside from leaving.

She can later be found near Bangkorai Garrison, where a sudden attack on the keep lead to her having to protect several scholars. As part of the Pyre Watch, she has access to knowledge about the Gray Host and their defeat in Bangkorai.
 
 

Related Quests
  
 
  

Quest-Related Events
Unhallowed Grave
thumb|right|An injured Shelaria faces off against Fennorian
Enter the crypt and you'll hear the Redguard threatening an unknown foe, who is surprisingly concerned for them:
:Shelaria: ''"You dare touch me, vampire? I may fall today, but by Onsi's bright blade, I will take you with me!"
:Fennorian: "Please, just listen. I am not allied with those graverobbers. If you keep this up, those wounds will reopen."

Shelaria is injured but still standing, speak with her to find out what is happening in the tomb complex:
:"These … these wounds won't keep me from cutting you down if I have to, wayfarer. Who are you? Are you in league with these dead-summoners and graverobbers? Speak quickly!"
:I'm not allied with any graverobbers. What happened here?
:"You … I see no deception in your eyes. Perhaps Tu'whacca has not forsaken us after all. I belong to an ancient fraternity of guardians called the Pyre Watch. We have but one duty: to protect this burial site from the servants of evil. We failed."
:Do you know what these attackers want?
:"I do not know what they seek specifically, but this cavern contains vast piles of ash and bone—the remains of an unholy army called the Gray Host. A treasure trove for necromancers. Please, wayfarer, can you help me drive these trespassers off?"
:All right, I'll help you rid this burial site of graverobbers.
:"Mara bless you, friend. I must warn you. The invaders stole an enchanted lantern. It will allow them to bypass the traps that await us inside. Our road will not be so easy. Then there is this vampire. He may offer aid, but undead cannot be trusted."

After agreeing to help you can ask her about the Hallowed Grave and Fennorian, as well as her attackers:
:Can you tell me more about the Pyre Watch?
::"Certainly. The warriors of the Pyre Watch swear an oath to protect this burial site from those who would seek to enter it … and to prevent anything inside from leaving. By Tu'whacca's mercy, nothing has ever tried to escape."
::You mean undead?
::"I mean anything. Heaps of unholy ashes and charred bones fill every corridor and passageway. You cannot take a step in there without treading on the corpse of an ancient monster. No, wayfarer. We cannot let even a mouse leave such a place."
::Tell me about these monsters—the Gray Host.
::"You should not speak the Host's name so loudly. Suffice it to say they were creatures of the night. Slain, burned, and buried. There is an old Yokudan saying: to name an evil is to sharpen its blade. Better to leave it nameless and forgotten."
:I saw you arguing with this vampire. He healed you?
::"He did. But for what purpose? He told me his name is Fennorian, and that he comes in peace. Hmph. Mischief of the damned. We must watch him carefully, wayfarer. Creatures like him cannot be trusted."
::I'll keep an eye out.
::"Good. A moment's carelessness can invite the monsters' fangs."
If the player is a vampire, they will instead say:
::I am a creature like him—a vampire. We're not all evil.
::"You? Tu'whacca's breath … to defeat dead summoners, I rely upon the scions of Bal. May my ancestors forgive me. I will trust you. For now.
:Tell me about the attackers. Do you know anything about them?
::"Precious little. There were many Nords among them, covered in crimson runes and wielding ghoulish magics. I heard one of them refer to the others as Draugrkin. An apt name for such ugly dead-summoners."
::You said they stole a lantern of some kind?
::"Yes. Tu'whacca's Gaze. Its light casts a ward over the one who holds it, protecting them from the traps and defenses inside the Grave. This will allow the invaders to pass through quickly. We will not be so lucky."''

As you walk away into the depths of the crypt, you'll hear over your shoulder:
:Fennorian: ''"Our new friend doesn't object to my presence. I hope that settles things?"
:Shelaria: "For now, vampire. Only for now."

After slaying the Draugrkin lieutenant, Hakgrym the Howler, Shelaria will arrive and congratulate you on your work:
:Shelaria: "Well done, wayfarer. Look there on the door—the Pyre Watch sigil. These Draugrkin must have used Tu'whacca's Gaze to unlock it."
:Fennorian: "How far down does this ruin go, Shelaria? Surely they found enough bones up here to fill those urns they brought."
:Shelaria: "I do not know. No Pyre Watch sentinel has ventured this far into the tomb since our ancestors sealed it. Come. Our answers lie ahead."

You have the opportunity to ask her what may be ahead:
:"Every step we take in this place feels like a blasphemy, but we have no choice. We cannot allow these graverobbers to escape."
::Do you have any guesses about what might lie ahead?
::"In my experience, guessing is not a fruitful practice. But, you do my order a great service, so I will indulge you. Every bone you see here belonged to a black-hearted creature of the night, but some beasts are more dangerous than others."
:::So we might find the army's leaders in there?
:::"Yes. Among other things. My teachers spoke of ancient guardians—timeless defenders that would fight on long after the last Pyre Watch sentinel fell. Without Tu'whacca's Gaze … they may try to cast us out. Violently."
::How are you holding up?
::"Despite this Elf Fennorian's unholy condition, he appears to be a very capable healer. My wounds cause me less pain, but … to my great shame, I still cannot join you in battle. Wounded as I am, I would only get in the way. I am sorry."
:::Are you sure you want to continue on?
:::"Yes. I may not be able to swing a sword with confidence, but I would sooner cast myself into one of those chasms than abandon my post entirely. I will find a way to help, wayfarer. Upon Leki's blade, I swear it."
thumb|right|A Pyre Watch Ward blocks the way
Further on Shelaria and Fennorian will approach one of the sigil locked doors which are hindering your progress:
:Shelaria: "HoonDing help us. The door is sealed. And without Tu'whacca's Gaze …."
:Fennorian: "Wait, Shelaria. Look there on the floor. More sigils. Perhaps they correspond to the one on the door?"
:Shelaria: "You … you may be right, vampire. Look around. We must keep up the pursuit."

If you talk to her for any insight about the sigil:
:"These sigils do look familiar. Just be wary. There is more to those stone guardians than meets the eye."

After someone activates the sigil stone, the door will open. Shelaria will be impressed by her ancestors skill:
:"My ancestors were clever indeed. Come. Let's keep moving."

At the next locked door, the pair will stare at it. There are no visible sigil stones nearby:
:Shelaria: "Another sealed door, but no statues or sigils. Any ideas, blood-drinker?"
:Fennorian: "A few. The corresponding sigils may be in another room. We should have a look around—perhaps in that vault to the north."

She will be getting frustrated with the all the obstacles:
:"Yet another obstacle. Ironic how my order's defenses are preventing us from dealing with the true villains. Perhaps one day we'll look back on this farce and laugh …. No, of course we won't."

While you fight Keeper of the Kiln in the chamber to the north, she will have managed to capture a Draugrkin Graverobber. When Fennorian leads you back, the interrogation will be wrapping up:
:Shelaria: "Where is Tu'whacca's Gaze? Where is your leader?"
:Draugrkin Graverobber: "Kjalnar Tombskald took your magic lantern with him … farther into the cave! You'll never catch him, Redguard. Not before he—"
:Shelaria: "Before he what? What are you godless dogs doing here? Speak!"
: 
:Draugrkin Graverobber: "Ha! You have no idea what's coming. When the one who sent us comes to power, you'll beg for death. Beg!"
:Shelaria: "Enough of this!"
: 
:Fennorian: "Shelaria … what did you do?"
:Shelaria: "You heard what he said. Their leader and Tu'whacca's Gaze are ahead. Shed a tear for this monster if you wish, but make it quick."

If you talk with her, she will be unmoved by any judgement:
:"The vampire judges me. Hmph. True, I break the Pyre Watch code by executing a prisoner. But then again, if our code of honor led us to this grim fate, of what use was the code? Justice sometimes demands a cold heart. Let's move on."

After you kill the Eternal Aegis, the duo will arrive and Fennorian will ask Shelaria just what else is in these tombs:
:Fennorian: "I've explored more tombs than I care to recall, and I've never seen a guardian like this."
:Shelaria: "Enough with your academics, vampire! We did not come here to study, we came here to stop the Draugrkin!"
:Fennorian: "I only mean to say that this level of protection … are you sure there's nothing else here, Shelaria? Nothing beyond the remains of the Gray Host?"
:Shelaria: "What does it matter? Kjalnar and his graverobbing jackals still outpace us. We must move quicker!"

She will be annoyed at the delays but her injuries may be getting worse:
:"Why do we delay? We must … we must press on."
:You don't look so good. Maybe you should turn back.
:"You sound like Fennorian. I am not leaving this grave until I watch Kjalnar breathe his last. If I die along the way, so be it. I will rest on the Far Shores with my kin, knowing I did my duty."

Once the exit the ruins and to an outdoor area, both will be awed at the scale of the architecture:
:Shelaria: "I had no idea such grand ruins stood in the heart of this place."
:Fennorian: "Yokudan, yes? The works of your ancestors from beyond the sea?"
:Shelaria: "Yes. Thank Mara, they all rest in glory on the Far Shores. If they could see what their home has become … the shame would be unbearable."''

If she's spoken to:
:"I shudder to think what my ancestors would say if they saw this desecration. Ruptga forgive us."

As you approach Kjalnar Tombskald's location, Shelaria and Fennorian will catch up to you:
:Fennorian: ''"We're almost there. I can sense it crawling up my spine. Something profoundly evil lurks here."
:Shelaria: "Whatever it is—whatever these beasts have conjured here—it will face a lasting death at our hands."

:"I wish I could do more, wayfarer. Truly. But I know that you will wreak the vengeance my brothers and sisters deserve. May Onsi guide your blade."

When you enter the Pit of Sorrows, Kjalnar Tombskald will be waiting. Shelaria will be eager to kill him, only to be stopped:
:Shelaria: "Kjalnar! I'll kill you for what you've done!"
:Kjalnar Tombskald: "By all means, try. Our patron demanded the remains of the Gray Host. What's the harm in adding a few more corpses?"
:Fennorian: "Shelaria! Arta vare! Sleep now."
: 
:Fennorian: "She's in no condition to fight. Go! Kill that fiend!"

After defeating the leader of the Draugrkin and his summon, Shelaria will awakened and be angered that Fennorian kept her out of the fight:
:Shelaria: "Damn you, Fennorian. That … that was my fight"
:Fennorian: "A fight you would have lost. I don't expect gratitude, but you're welcome all the same."

You can then speak with Shelaria to complete the quest:
:"You … you did it. You killed Kjalnar. I should have been at your side. My blade should have struck the mortal blow."
:You were in no condition to fight. Kjalnar is dead, and the Draugrkin are gone. That's what matters.
:"You are right, of course. Even at my best, I could not hope to match a foe like that. Let alone the creature he summoned or the patron who sent him here—whoever that is. The Pyre Watch will always be in your debt, wayfarer. Tu'whacca bless you."

Afterwards, Shelaria and Fennorian will discuss what they have learnt and leads to who ordered the Draugrkin to come to the site in the first place:
:Shelaria: "Fennorian, I … I understand why you did what you did. One day, I will make my peace with it. In the meantime, I will put the life you saved to good use."
:Fennorian: "I trust you will, Shelaria. As for me, I have some investigating to do—starting with this mysterious patron Kjalnar mentioned."
:Shelaria: "Whoever they are, I suspect they've already gotten what they wanted. The Draugrkin smuggled a great many urns out of the Grave before you arrived. Tu'whacca help us all."

You can then ask Shelaria further questions:
:"Part of me will always hate Fennorian for taking this battle from me, but I know in my heart he was right. Had I died here, the Pyre Watch would have died with me. I have work to do. Doors to seal, graves to consecrate, and teachings to pass on."
::Do you really intend to rebuild the Pyre Watch? / Fair enough. Do you really intend to rebuild the Pyre Watch?
::"What choice do I have? So long as this place houses the remains of the Gray Host, it remains a threat to all of Tamriel. I do not suppose you'd be interested in a life of stewardship and seclusion? You would make a fine Pyre Watch sentinel."
:::I don't think guard-duty is for me.
:::"Of course. Truthfully, I only asked in jest. I will find recruits in Bangkorai Garrison, Hallin's Stand, perhaps even Evermore. And before I pass on to the Far Shores, I will make sure an incursion like this never happens again. You have my word."
::Has Fennorian changed your view of vampires?
::"Fennorian has changed my view of Fennorian. Remember, we are surrounded by the bones of monsters who sought the end of all life in Tamriel. Fennorian proved to be a steady ally, but he does not speak for all vampires. The Gray Host is proof of that."''

The Ravenwatch Inquiry
thumb|right|Shelaria in the Crypt of the Exiles
Inside the Crypt of the Exiles, you'll find the Pyre Watch warrior herself. Not knowing if you are friend or foe, she'll threaten:
:Shelaria: "Come forward, you godless mongrel!"

Speak with her and she'll quickly calm down, recognizing you if you have met previously:

:Scholar Diel sent me to find you and the scholars. She has a camp outside the garrison's walls.
:"It gladdens my heart to hear that Scholar Diel is safe. But what of the other scholars? Did my efforts to lead the Imperials away allow them to get away?"
:I located Scholars Cogline and Indouz. I sent them to Diel's camp.
:"That is truly fortunate. As for me, I escaped the Imperials only to find myself surrounded by ancient undead. Let us speak outside. I will follow your lead. May Onsi guide your blade."
:Follow me.

She will then become your follower and you can lead her outside:
:Shelaria: "Lead on, wayfarer."''

Speaking with Shelaria during this, she'll apologize. If you have met previously, you can ask how she doing:
:''"I am sorry I cannot be more help to you. All the fighting and running has worn me out. Once we are free of this place, you have my word that I will do anything you ask. Upon Leki's blade, I swear it."
:How have you been since we last saw each other, Shelaria? (Appears if you have completed Unhallowed Grave)
:"I have been well, thank you. The Pyre Watch grows slowly but surely. My efforts to rebuild have been fruitful, but my duty does not cease. I have not forgotten what you and Fennorian did. Not for a moment. How is Fennorian?"
:Fennorian's fine, as far as I know.
:"My ancestors must feel great shame watching me care for the well-being of a scion of Bal. Still, it comforts me to know he endures, even during these unholy times. Mara willing, our paths will cross again."'' 

As you near the exit, she'll gasp:
:Shelaria: "The exit! Let us see the sky once more."

Outside the crypt you can ask her about the Gray Host's defeat in the First Era.
:"I came to Bangkorai Garrison seeking recruits for the Pyre Watch. HoonDing help us, I did not expect those villains to arrive and send innocent people fleeing for shelter. I am grateful you saved the scholars. Now, what can I do for you in return?"
:'''I'm looking for information about the Gray Host of the First Era.
:"The Gray Host was a terrible army of vampires, werewolves, and other monsters that pillaged the land. Only the combined might of the Bangkorai Garrison and the Alessian Empire finally defeated them. That story, unfortunately, is mired in legend."
:So there's nothing you can tell me about how the Gray Host was defeated?
:"The true story may be as enthralling as the legends, but we only have bits and pieces of it. Magic was involved, almost certainly, but whether it was divine in nature or Alessian sorcery we have never been able to determine."
:There must be something you know that can help us understand the Gray Host.
:"I can delve into the records of my order when I return to our sanctum. But understand that the Watch is concerned with keeping the past buried, not exposing it. I can tell you that there are indications that one of the Host survived the slaughter."
:We learned something similar. A Direnni noble offered the survivor sanctuary.
:"A Direnni noble? That gives some credence to the historical record. An incomplete parchment mentioned Viridian Watch, but we never saw the significance. It also said that only the worthy could enter the sanctuary. We never determined what that meant."
:I need to tell my associate Gwendis about this. You should return to Scholar Diel's camp.

You can continue talking with her after learning about the location.
:"I do not know the nature of your mission, wayfarer, and I still have my own to uphold. But if you seek answers about the Gray Host, then may Mara bless your search."
:Can you tell me anything about Viridian Watch?
:"I know precious little. I never visited the site myself. Though incomplete, the historical record indicates the survivor hid in a concealed space that they were guided to. Perhaps that has something to do with the idea of being worthy."
:Tell me more about that part of the record.
:"There wasn't much. Just that the worthy would be guided to safety. Perhaps that is the key, if you can determine what worthy means to a vile vampire. Any place associated with the Gray Host cannot be trusted. Evil does not fade, so be on your guard."''

As you turn to leave, she'll add:
:Shelaria: ''"I will go check on the scholars at Diel's camp. Thank you again, wayfarer."''

Back at Diel's camp, she can be found sitting down:
:"Be well, wayfarer. As you head into Viridian Watch, may Onsi guide your blade."

Second Chances
thumb|right|Shelaria in Understone Keep
She appears in the Announcement Hall in Understone Keep during Second Chances. You can talk to her:
:"So, you and Fennorian managed without me I see. Is it true? That the last of the Gray Host has finally joined his brothers and sisters in the grave?"
:Yes, Rada al-Saran was destroyed along with those he returned from Coldharbour.
:''"Then you have the Pyre Watch's eternal gratitude. I must return their stolen remains to the Unhallowed Grave and bury them deeply enough to be forgotten by all but my order. Once it is rebuilt … ."
:Have you had any luck recruiting?
:"No, some of those defending the Bankgorai Garrison showed interest, but most of them were only seeking a less hazardous post. The Pyre Watch has no need of layabouts and cowards. We must be eternally vigilant. Perhaps I will try Kvatch next."
The conversation may end here, or might continue :
:You could ask the Ravenwatch.
:"My ancestors must be burying their heads on the Far Shores at that suggestion. Vampires would be better suited to this eternal vigil than we mortals, but it is our duty. Still, we have similar goals to the Ravenwatch. Perhaps a partnership would do."
:Can't hurt to ask?
:"Yes, well, it would be ungrateful of me to go without giving my thanks to Fennorian again. If his fellows are as honorable, then introductions may be in order."''