Cyrodiil/Astor Astentius

Astor Astentius, an elderly sorcerer, is a senile member of the   working to re-establish the teleportation portals at  . During   you will discover he is to blame for the sudden appearance of strange items in the   and can decide whether to help or hinder him.

Astor wakes up early at 5am and after eating a quick breakfast heads out on the balcony to examine the portals at 6am. At midday he goes back inside and busies himself in the tower until 6pm, when he has dinner. After relaxing in his quarters for the rest of the evening, he goes to sleep in his cot at midnight.

Astor wears a set of   and  , farmer's gloves and  , and carries a random selection of gold, lockpicks, gems, jewelry, food and drink. As well as being armed with an  , Astor is able to cast the spells Conjure Dremora Lord, Ebonyflesh, Fast Healing, Fear, Grand Healing,  , Ice Spike, Ice Storm, Repel Undead, Revenant and Steadfast Ward.

His confused state of mind is clear upon first meeting him: "No. Wait, what did you say?", "Karland, is that you?", "Who are you? Have we met?", "''Hmm? Oh it's just you again, Karland. How have you been?" and "Welcome to Frostcrag. Care to help me with an experiment on the physical properties of clannfear skin? No? Very well, but you're missing out!"

If you ask what this place is, he answers: "Why, this is the ever famous Wizard's tower, Frostcrag Spire! So much history has taken place inside these walls, so many mysteries to uncover, so many previous residents to reincarnate and interrogate! Why, sometimes I hardly believe that I'm standing in the birthplace of Purple Grummites and Phosphorus Elytra!" 

If press you him on Elytras he is puzzled: "You don't know what an Elytra is? They are the most fascinating creatures! I'm sure I've told you about them before." If you agree with him, he exclaims: "Indeed! One of the mages who occupied this tower was quite mad, and quite powerful. I wonder what became of that one? Well, I'm glad you can share in this venture with me, Karland. Losing you is something I wish never to experience again." If you express your puzzlement, he snaps: "What do you mean, "who's Karland"? Stop being ridiculous and let's get back to our research, already." 

Inquiring about his research will net you: "Same thing I've been researching for the past twelve years, this tower. It is truly fascinating!" If you point out you thought the team had only just arrived he confides: "Correct, on both accounts! The College of Whispers reclamation team just arrived. I was here long before that. Originally, I came up here to scout out the area for magical artifacts, as many at the time tried to do. I was different, though. I succeeded. In fact, I was the first to enter this place after it was sealed by an unknown mage nearly one-hundred and fifty years ago. I had only planned on staying for a week or two. It turned into three years."

If you press him on the other nine years he says: "Nine years? I'm not quite sure, to be perfectly honest with you. The last thing I remember is packing up my equipment and leaving for a project I was assigned to in Hammerfell. I'm not going to talk about my time there. I wouldn't even if I could remember the full story. I know I was with someone, though... Who was it? Kaymlar? Hamland? No... odd, indeed... Well I certainly don't miss the hot, dry, sand, that's for certain. How I got back here is anyone's guess, but I've been here ever since. Was there any other places in my vast knowledge you wished to delve into?"

If you ask about the College he replies: "They've been my family for most of my life. Don't you listen to wild rumor or the devious Synod mages either... The College is not some rogue sect of necromancers or some secret-hoarding gathering of rabble. No, we simply try to keep the people of Tamriel safe from their worst enemy: their own ignorance. We keep the most dangerous knowledge and magic away from the public and in the hands of those who wish to devote themselves to its practice. That way, the real threats to society are powerless. And those who simply wish to learn the arts, all of them, can do so freely and without constriction.''"

Astor's altered mental state following his mysterious expedition to Hammerfell is common knowledge in the group, as both   and   will comment:
:"''It's sad really, he doesn't even remember my name all the time. I'm not quite sure who Karland is, he may not even be real."
:"I wouldn't doubt it. The man is a genius in his own right. I would've loved to have known him a few years back, but ever since his expedition to Hammerfell..."
:"It's sad to say it but I agree with you. Astor use to be one of our most respected Masters of the College, but now look at him." 
:"So far he's still been able to contribute, but I'm not sure how long that will last. The other Masters or the Archmage, Tiberius Rindellian, might soon force him to retire."
:"Divines, no. The old bat's mind has been slowly degenerating ever since he returned from an expedition to Hammerfell. Anyway, I have important research to return to. If you want gossip, talk to the  "

Related Quests


Conversations
While in Frostcrag Spire, you may overhear the following conversations with Ravil and Kalimbria:

Ravil: "Astor, how are you feeling? How goes your research?" 
Astor: "Fine, fine, don't worry about me. The vault portal still has yet to yield to me, but don't you worry. I'll find a way." 
Ravil: "Glad to hear it. Keep up the good work."

Astor: "Oh, Kalimbria dear, there you are! I've been looking for you." 
Kalimbria: "Wow, Astor, I'm impressed. You remembered my name this time!" 
Astor: "What are you talking about? How could I possibly forget something as simple as your name? I wanted to ask if you had finished examining the balcony portals yet, like I asked you to." 
Kalimbria: "Yes, in fact I did it just yesterday. Why?" 
Astor: "Well, if we are ever going to use the things, it would be quite helpful to know whether or not they'll be tearing us apart in the process!" 
Kalimbria: "Astor, you told me last week that none of those portal enchantments are active anymore, that you've tried yourself many times." 
Astor: "Huh, well... I'm sure at the time I wasn't thinking clearly... must have had things on my mind. We'll examine them together tomorrow, then." 
Kalimbria: "If you say so, Astor.''"