Online:Elfbetta the Shy

Elfbetta the Shy is a Nord found at a camp outside the Dreloth Ancestral Tomb. She is an assistant to (and admirer of) the "famous treasure-hunter", Narsis Dren. When you first speak to her, she's trying to make notes based on a description by Narsis. She'll tell you she's worried about Narsis' absence and will be elated if you offer to find him for her.
 

 
Related Quests


Quest-Related Events
Ancestral Adversity
When first meeting Elfbetta, she will be going over Narsis' notes:
:''"One moment … let me finish this thought …. Hmm, what's this word? I wish my dear Narsis Dren would return so I could ask. His handwriting is atrocious!  Ah, well, I'll just write "inky-black darkness." That sounds like the tomb he described to me!"
:What tomb are you talking about?
:"The nearby Dreloth tomb, of course. My employer, the famous adventurer Narsis Dren, explores its depths, searching for hidden treasure even as we speak.   I hope to get to investigate a tomb one day. For now, I'm content to be Narsis's  assistant."
:What does an assistant know about hidden treasure?
:"I am the personal assistant to Narsis Dren and I know a great deal about a good many things! I found the old scroll that mentioned the treasure, after all.   Narsis has been gone a long time, though. Even missed lunch today, and he never skips a meal."
:I can go into the Dreloth tomb and look for Narsis Dren

After agreeing to help, she promises a mention in his next book. Before you enter the tomb you can ask some questions:
:"You'll check on Narsis? How sweet! I will make certain you get a mention in his next book.   I suppose he just lost track of time studying an intriguing relic or some such, but I'll feel so much better if you go into Dreloth and see if he's all right."
:Can I ask you a few questions before I enter the tomb?
:"Certainly! I'd be more than happy to tell you all about the great Narsis Dren and his exciting adventures!   What do you want to know?"
:Tell me more about the hidden treasure.
::"I suppose I can take credit for that. I found an old scroll in a Telvanni bookshop and took it right to Narsis for analysis.   His translation indicated there were secret passages inside. he said secret passages mean hidden treasure, so here we are!"
:Narsis Dren and I met in Wrothgar. (Option if previously met Narsis in Wrothgar)
::"You did? Wrothgar, you say? Funny, I don't remember seeing you mentioned in "Narsis Dren and the Draugr Dilemma." Are you sure you met my Narsis? A person of his stature is often impersonated by unscrupulous cads."
::I'm sure. He kept winding up locked in a  .
::*If you tricked Narsis during Draugr Dilemma: 
::"Well, that doesn't sound like the Narsis Dren I know. Just remember, Narsis Dren doesn't have time for pretty admirers. His work in the Dreloth tomb is very important. So make sure he's all right—but keep your hands to yourself."
::*If you convinced Narsis to tell the truth:  
::"Oh, that sounds just like my Narsis! Sometimes he has so many thoughts going through his head, he can get distracted. His work in the Dreloth tomb is very important. So if you can make sure he's all right, I would really appreciate it."
:Who's Narsis Dren again? / Tell me more about Narsis Dren.
::"You don't know the great Narsis Dren? He explores the world's most dangerous locations and writes books so that his beloved admirers can experience his adventures vicariously. Just reading his words will send little thrills up and down your spine."
::You really admire Narsis Dren, don't you?
:::"It's much more than mere admiration! Narsis Dren fills my heart the way mead fills an earthen jar. Some day, we will undergo the ritual of Mara and live happily as husband and wife! Elfbetta Dren … it has a certain flair, don't you think?"

Talking to Elfbetta upon leaving the Dreloth Ancestral Tomb.
:"Narsis shot out of that tomb so fast! Just like that time my sister laughed so hard and mead spurted out her nose! Narsis was so excited, he went to find a mage to open a portal. Told us to meet him there.   Borfree, pack up! We need to move!"
:Did Narsis say where he was going?
:"He did. And he told me to tell you. But why he needs your help when he has me, well, that's just beyond my comprehension.   Narsis said that he found new information. He said that the scroll was not about Dreloth tomb---it pointed toward Veloth tomb!"
:Any idea where Veloth tomb is located?
:"You better get moving if you're going to help my Narsis. Veloth tomb is on the west coast, just south of Gnisis.   Borfree can make his own way, just like you. He's reliable like that. Me? U might hire a mage. Portals are so much nicer than walking."

Speak to her before leaving:
:"I better get Borfree to start packing so we can head for the Veloth tomb. He's sweet but kind of simple. I think it's wonderful that Narsis keeps the poor fellow employed, even though he requires a lot of supervision."

Meeting Elfbetta outside of Veloth tomb:
:"I see you found your way. It's nice that you want to help my Narsis, but he doesn't really require another assistant. I'm quite capable of taking care of his many … wants and desires."
:Did Narsis Dren already enter the tomb?
:"Oh yes. We had a lovely meal by candlelight, talked about the new book he's working on, drank some wine. Then off he went, like a flash, into the tomb!   Unfortunately, I have not heard so much as a peep out of him in a guar's age."
:Is there a reason to be worried?
:"No, of course not. This is Narsis Dren we're talking about! Famed hero and adventurer.   If you aren't too busy, though, I'd appreciate it if you could head inside and check on him. Just in case. Sometimes Narsis gets a little distracted, you know."

If you choose to trick Narsis, upon exiting the tomb, you will find her talking to Borfree:
:Elfbetta the Shy: "Borfree, now is not the time to take a break. Narsis will be out soon, I'm sure."

You can then talk to her to get paid for your services:
:"It's good to see you again. Finished exploring the tomb? But where's Narsis? I do miss that Dark Elf terribly, you know."
:Narsis is doing quite well. He wanted to check out one more hole in the ground.
:"That sounds like my Narsis! Always wanting to explore just one more nook and cranny! I assume he'll be along shortly for one of my shoulder rubs.   Allow me to pay you for your service. It is the standard rate for Narsis's apprentices."

When talking to her after finishing the quest:
:"Narsis still hasn't returned from the tomb. I don't suppose you'd … no, probably not.   I'll wait for a few more moments and then send Borfree in to look for him. I'm sure all is well, but I can't help this feeling that something went wrong …."''

However, if you choose not to trick Narsis, when you exit the tomb you'll hear:
:Narsis Dren: ''"I can't wait to write this all down. To my camp, apprentice!"
:Narsis Dren: "This expedition might make for my most exciting tale yet! That was probably Saint Veloth's mother!"
:Elfbetta the Shy: "Oh Narsis, that's wonderful news! I can't wait to read it!"
:Narsis Dren: "That will have to wait. I must get to Vivec City. I'll leave it to you to compensate my trusty assistant."

:"Ah, Narsis! Always rushing here and there. Oh, how I love him! I am glad to see he did not leave you in that dusty old tomb. You wouldn't believe how many apprentices he tends to lose along the way."
:I suppose this will make another exciting tale for the famous Narsis Dren.
:"Oh yes! Before you arrived, he was telling us all about it. I am certain it's going to make for a great story—his best yet! And he was so feisty! Allow me to pay you for your service. It is the standard rate for Narsis's apprentices."''

After the quest, she'll say:
:''"It may seem like Narsis's books write themselves, but he uses dedicated assistants such as myself to get all the words down on paper. It is a very important task! And I love that Narsis trusts me to know his own mind."''