Online:Councilor Lovidicus

Councilor Lovidicus is an Imperial and former chief councilor of the defunct Elder Council. In the wake of the Planemeld and Three Banners War, he became one of a trio of legates to rule Leyawiin.

He has been working with Eveli Sharp-Arrow after she convinced him of a possible threat to him and his fellow councilors due to the old secrets of the Longhouse Emperors.
 

Related Quests




Quest-Related Events
A Deadly Secret
Your search for Councilor Jirich will lead you to try and warn her fellow councilors Faleria and Sophus before they are also killed. Eventually you and Eveli will need to report to Councilor Lovidicus at Leyawiin Castle about what you have found. When you enter the throne room he will be talking with Legates Tebeza-ko and Am-Halu:
:Councilor Lovidicus: ''"Captain Rian and the Ivory Brigade will deal with the Dark Brotherhood. We're perfectly safe in here."
:Legate Tebeza-ko: "Your damn Empire, Lovidicus. It no longer exists but it still causes us trouble."

Captain Rian will have already mentioned you to Lovidicus so the councilor is ready for your report:
:"You must be the mercenary that Captain Rian told me about. And I see you're working with Eveli Sharp-Arrow. Good, good. I assume you have something to report? I'm listening."
:Councilors Jirich and Sophus were murdered. These notes were left beside the bodies.
:"Damn it all to Oblivion and back! I should have taken Farrul Lupus more seriously when I received his letter. This is definitely the mark of the Dark Brotherhood. Anything else to add to this?"
:Jirich and Sophus left behind documents, but part of them is written in code.
:"Yes, that's the Longhouse Emperor's code. Only a handful of Imperial scribes can decipher it. I know one. Beragon. I'll send for him at once. Meanwhile, we must warn the remaining councilors on the list: Abor, Faleria, Itinia, and Vandacia."
:Councilor Faleria is under guard and collecting her records from Tidewater Cave.
:"Very good. I've sent messages to Itinia and Vandacia already, as neither of them are currently within Leyawiin's jurisdiction. I need you to go to Fort Blueblood. Councilor Abor has taken refuge there, but I'd prefer to have her here in Leyawiin."
:I'll go to Fort Blueblood and talk to Councilor Abor.

Once you have agreed to travel to Fort Bluebood, you can ask Lovidicus some questions:
:"Everything we do now must be swift if we are to get ahead of this. Go to Fort Blueblood and convince Councilor Abor to return to the city. She'll be safer here than at the fort."
:You must know more about Emperor Leovic's secret and the Ambitions.
::"Sadly, no. Whatever Leovic confided in Farrul Lupus and the others, whatever he ordered them to do, he kept it a complete secret from me. I suppose he assumed I wouldn't go along with anything illegal or Daedric, and he was right."
::But weren't you the chief councilor of the Elder Council?
:::"I was. But the Elder Council was made up of almost two dozen councilors. According to the list Eveli Sharp-Arrow brought me, only seven councilors were privy to this secret. Make that six. I have no idea why Leovic listed me among that group."
:::There must have been some reason for your name being linked with the others.
::::"Who knows what was going through Leovic's head when he wrote that entry in his journal. Varen and his rebels were literally pounding at the doors of the palace at the time. And Leovic wasn't totally in his right mind even before the rebellion."
:Why is Councilor Abor at Fort Blueblood?
::"Abor has always had an affinity for the Imperial military. When she received her letter of warning from Farrul Lupus, she sent word to me. Told me she was going to the fort. That the soldiers would protect her. I fear she's badly mistaken."
::You don't think the fort is safe?
:::"Only a token force of brigadines guards Fort Blueblood. If the Dark Brotherhood is truly our enemy, I fear a lone assassin can bypass the fort's defenses with relative ease. Abor would be better off here in the castle. Go and bring her back at once."
:Tell me more about the Longhouse Emperors.
::"The Longhouse Emperors were Reachmen who seized control of the Empire and ruled for some forty years. Durcorach the Black Drake founded the ruling house. Moricar ascended to the throne after his father's death, and his son Leovic followed him."
::And what happened to Leovic?
:::"Leovic … made a mistake. When he decided to declare Daedra worship as the law of the land, Duke Varen Aquilarios objected. He led a rebellion and personally dispatched Leovic in the Imperial Throne Room. Thus ended the Longhouse Emperors' reign."
:::But that's not the end of the story.
::::"Unfortunately, no. Varen disappeared a few years later and the Empire collapsed. Now the so-called alliances are fighting over the scraps and Tamriel is in shambles. We're doing all we can just to keep Blackwood safe and secure."

When you arrive at Fort Blueblood, you will find that Councilor Abor has already been murdered. However, you are successful in contacting Councilor Faleria at Tidewater Cave and Councilor Vandacia in Gideon, with the latter having recently foiled an attempt on his life. You are able to track down the Dark Brotherhood assassin who claims his organization is not involved in the recent deaths. After finding both councilors you can return to Lovidicus at Leyawiin Castle. 

The surviving councilors will have arrived before you and Vandacia will be arguing with Lovidicus when you enter the chamber:
:Councilor Vandacia: "The Dark Brotherhood. They must be driven out of Blackwood."
:Councilor Lovidicus: "I still can't figure out why they would be targeting us, Vandacia."

Report what you have learnt to Lovidicus:
:"All of the remaining councilors in Blackwood are gathered here in the castle—Faleria, Vandacia, and myself. While we await the arrival of the scribe I sent for, tell me what you uncovered in Gideon. I'm not sure I agree with Vandacia's assessment."
:I found a letter. It talked about reestablishing a Dark Brotherhood sanctuary in Bloodrun Cave.
:"Yes, I remember reports of their presence early in Moricar's reign, but they were driven out. The assassins must see this as the perfect opportunity to reclaim their base, but what does that have to do with Leovic's secret and the Ambitions?"
:I'm not sure. And why are they assassinating the councilors?
:"Vandacia, Faleria, and I were just discussing that. We think Leovic had each of the councilors unknowingly working on a different aspect of the Ambitions project. They each had access to a piece of the puzzle, but no one but Leovic knew everything."
:So someone called upon the Dark Brotherhood to murder the councilors to preserve the secret?
:"That's our prevailing theory. If the councilors ever came together to compare notes, the truth of the Ambitions would be revealed. To stop that from happening, the Dark Brotherhood was sent to kill my colleagues."
:The Dark Brotherhood agent claimed they weren't responsible for the murders of the councilors.
:"Indeed? Very curious. Still, I'm hesitant to take the word of an admitted killer at face value. Not with so much at stake. Regardless, their very presence still poses a threat to all of Blackwood. The sanctuary cannot be allowed to reopen."
:Maybe the coded documents Eveli and I recovered can tell us more.
:"Jirich's and Sophus's documents contain information written in Imperial code. I sent for the scribe Beragon, but he has yet to arrive. Until then, the councilors will remain safe within these walls. You have done well so far and have my thanks."
If you exit out of the conversation before turning in the quest he will alternatively say:
:"Whatever is their actual involvement, a Dark Brotherhood sanctuary in Blackwood is cause for concern. But how they factor into Leovic's secret, the Ambitions, and the attacks on the councilors, I have yet to figure out."
:What about the coded documents that Eveli and I recovered.

After completing the quest, he will suggest that you speak with Eveli to continue the investigation:
:"Whatever the truth behind the murders of my fellow councilors, we can't allow the Dark Brotherhood to gain a foothold in Blackwood. I'd like you and Eveli to go to Bloodrun Cave to ascertain the situation there. Talk to Eveli and make your plans."
:Shouldn't you send the brigadines to deal with the Dark Brotherhood?
:"Until we know more, I'm not prepared to engage in an all-out war with the Dark Brotherhood. No, better to send you and Eveli to investigate the situation. Then we can determine if a more forceful response is warranted."''

An Unexpected Adversary
After you've spoken with Eveli about your plans, Lovidicus will ask you to be wary:
:''"Be careful, but do whatever you deem necessary to find out the truth of the Dark Brotherhood's presence in Blackwood. The councilors and I will wait here in the castle for the scribe to arrive. Hopefully, we'll have information when you return."

Your investigation of Bloodrun Cave becomes complicated, as Waking Flame Cultists invade the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary, trying to kill both you, Eveli and the assassins. You and Elam Drals follow the cultists into their base at Welke, where you learn that the High Priest is Councilor Vandacia and that there is a planned attack on Leyawiin Castle. The attack is underway when you arrive and you meet up with Eveli to search for survivors. You are unable to save Councilor Faleria from Vandacia and race to find Lovidicus.

When you enter the courtyard, you will find Vandacia holding Councilor Lovidicus by the neck with a chain of red magic, choking him:
:Councilor Lovidicus: "Vandacia, you traitor …"
:Councilor Vandacia: "I will finish what the Longhouse Emperors started, Lovidicus. I will set loose the power of the Four Ambitions!"
:Councilor Vandacia: "Lord Dagon, hear your high priest! Send forth a champion to destroy these meddlers!"
: 
:Eveli Sharp-Arrow: "What is that thing? Kill it, kill it!"
: 
:Councilor Lovidicus: "Don't worry about me. Deal with that creature!"

Once the Ruinarch is defeated, Captain Rian and his Brigadines will get through the courtyard gate:
:Captain Rian Liore: "Councilor Lovidicus, you're alive!"
: 
:Captain Rian Liore: "Let me get you out of here and somewhere safe."
: 
:Councilor Lovidicus: "Vandacia … the bastard fooled us all!"

Once outside, Lovidicus will be resting on a bench. He will ask you to talk to Beragon first, while he takes a breather.
:"A moment please. Talk to the scribe while I catch my breath."

Speaking with Beragon, you will learn that he managed to decode a word before the attack started—Ojel-bak—at this, Lovidicus will be ready to talk to you:
:"Vandacia … a high priest of Mehrunes Dagon. Has he been a Daedric cultist all these years? I failed to see the signs and now the councilors, they're all dead … Faleria, Sophus, Abor, and Jirich."
:Vandacia tricked us all. I only learned the truth after events at the Dark Brotherhood sanctuary.
:"Yes, of course. The sanctuary. I suppose this proves the Dark Brotherhood wasn't involved in the plot to murder us. What else did you uncover while you were away?"
:Vandacia is the cult's high priest. And they know the location of one of the Ambitions.
:"It's worse than that. Vandacia wrestled the documents you acquired from the other councilors away from the scribe. Once he translates them, he may know the location of all four of the Ambitions."
:Beragon translated a portion. It mentioned the ojel-bak, but he doesn't know that word.
:"Ojel-bak? I've heard that term. It's Argonian. I believe it refers to a natural formation deep in the Blackwood marsh, but Vandacia was more familiar with that region than I. I know someone who can help us, though. I believe you already met her."
:You know someone who can help us locate the hidden vault?
:"If the term leads us to the vault, so be it. All we can do is follow the clues we've been given. Talk to Keshu the Black Fin. If anyone can help us navigate the wilds of Blackwood, it's Governor Keshu."

You can then tell Eveli where you need to head next, if you speak to Lovidicus he will tell you:
:"We may have lost the old documents to Vandacia, but the scribe came through and provided us a path ahead. You and Eveli should go to Gideon. Talk to Governor Keshu. I'm sure she can pinpoint the location of the ojel-bak."

A Hidden Vault
If you start the quest directly after the last one, you can talk to Lovidicus who will still be outside the gates:
:"Gideon and Governor Keshu have worked with Leyawiin to keep Blackwood safe. I have every reason to believe that she will cooperate and tell you what she knows about the Argonian term, ojel-bak. May the Divines walk beside you, mercenary."

Heroes of Blackwood
Councilor Lovidicus will be among those attending the celebrations at Gideon after the defeat of Vandacia and Mehrunes Dagon at Fort Redmane:
:"I wanted you to know how appreciative I am of what you've done for us. Not only did you reveal Vandacia for the traitor he was, you took him down and saved Blackwood. Countess Caro and the Chamber of Legates thank you. You're always welcome here."
:What are your plans for Leyawiin now, councilor?
:"Plans? The same as they were before this trouble started. Work with Gideon to secure our borders and keep the war from impacting Blackwood directly. Make sure our communities stay safe and prosper. If not for you, none of that would even be possible."
Notes
His full name is Tarnian Lovidicus''', and he was promoted by Moricar from Legate to Chief Councilor.