Online:Cres

Cres is a watchling who has been impersonating people in Farmer's Nook. They are a servant of Hermaeus Mora, charged by their master to observe the village of Farmer's Nook and record all knowledge on the subject. They chose to leave their master's service and have been attempting to impersonate several of the villagers. They are tired of just watching, and want to live.

When you first encounter Cres, they will be disguised as their latest victim, Annyce Favraud. At the conclusion of the quest, Cres may remain on Tamriel and assume the identity of Dreamer.
 
Related Quests


Quest-Related Events
After you have woken up the missing people found in Rellesel Retreat, Annyce Favraud will tell you about Cres. When you go to confront the imposter at the Happy Crow, you will learn from Bradon Davaux that "Annyce" ran away, heading eastwards. Alchemy will recall that the Ayleid shrine you previously found is also in that direction. As you approach the ruin, you will find Cres—as Annyce—pleading as they stare at the brazier:
:Cres: ''"I don't want to go back. I don't want to go back …."''

Talk to and confront Cres, they'll attempt to still act as Annyce at first:
:''"You! You're the one I don't know. Why are you here? I—I didn't run away again! I promise."
:I know you're not really Annyce, Cres.
:"Excuse me, you don't even know me. I—I am Annyce. I can prove it. Ask me anything."
:We already woke Annyce and everyone else.
:"Uh—um, I'm her twin sister …? I can't be Annyce anymore. I know. Maybe I could be someone else? What about you? Can I be you?"
:No, Cres. It's over.

At this, Alchemy will cut in and use her magic to disrupt the illusion:
:Alchemy: "Enough of this charade, Cres. Off with your false face."''
: 
:Cres: "What are you—ah!"
: 
:Alchemy: ''"You're … a Daedra?"

With this revelation, talk to Cres and see what this is all about:
:"Wait! Don't hurt me! I didn't do anything! I just gave them what they wanted!"
:Why are you trading places with the people in this town?
:"I just want to live. Like you. I'm so tired of watching. I don't want to go back! Don't make me go back!"
:Back where?
:"To the unbound library of the One Who Knows. To record what was observed. That is our purpose. To watch your lives and ink the details down. Day in, day out. Always the same. They know it too! The people here. That's why I offered an escape!"
:Why did you keep making these deals?
:"I kept getting it wrong. Being a person. Despite all I knew, I kept making mistakes. Bad, painful mistakes I couldn't undo. So, I had to try again. And again. Life is hard … but that makes it interesting! Please, let me stay. Don't send me back."
:I'll discuss it with my friend.
:"Yes! Please! I didn't mean to cause any trouble. I won't cause anymore trouble."''

You can talk with Alchemy who is feeling sympathetic to Cres. She suggests you have a choice, you can either have her banish Cres back to Oblivion or Alchemy will take the Watchling under her wing and sponsor them to join the House of Reveries. You can ask Cres some questions before deciding Cres' fate:
:''"Please don't send me back. I promise not to be a bother to anyone ever again. Ever ever."
:Of all the places you could have chosen, why Farmer's Nook?
::"This is where the One Who Knows sent me. It is what I know. I thought I could live here and no one would treat me any differently. I could finally experience all the things I'd only observed. Friendship, love, family, mead. Mead was good."
::Why did your master send you to watch this place?
:::"To know. As they must. Your tiny pupils suggest that is insufficient? The One Who Knows seeks all knowledge. We observe so that all becomes known. We are the One's eyes and we are multitudes."
:::Does that mean you're not alone out here?
::::"Alone. I suppose I am. I had not considered that. I will no longer be a part of the One, but something separate. It's unsettling, but also exciting."
:What will you do if you stay?
::"I'll—well, I don't know what I'll do without a mortal form, but I'll think of something …."
::You can't just take on another form?
:::"I need a mortal pact to do anything more than create an illusion. I traded dreams because they are the neighbor of knowledge and within my reach. I don't have much else to offer a mortal in exchange."
:::So it doesn't have to be dreams?
::::"Correct. The terms are not important, only the bargain matters. If I find someone willing to form a … less troublesome pact, then maybe I could stay?"
:If you don't return, won't someone come looking for you?
::"The One Who Knows watches most. The One seeks not to change but to observe. If the One sees me here, they will know what was once unknown."
::What happens if we send you back?
:::"I would return to Apocrypha and resume the catalog of all things until I have exhausted my knowledge and the One Who Knows casts me into the world to observe again. That would not be, in mortal terms, for a very long time."''

If you decide to not banish Cres and haven't turned in the quest, you can speak to them and they'll be grateful:
:''"She is going to make a pact with me? I get another chance? Oh, thank you. You won't regret this!"

If you decided that Cres should join the House of Reveries, then Alchemy will come forward and make the offer:
:Alchemy: "All right, Cres. I have a deal for you."
:Cres: "You do? Does this mean I can stay?"
:Alchemy: "No. Not in   Nook anyway."
:Cres: "Oh … does it mean I don't have to go back to the library?"
:Alchemy: "Yes, and you will get to live a great many incredible lives."
:Cres: "I can? What do you need me to do?"
:Alchemy: "Watch, and learn. You're going to be my apprentice. Now, let's get you a mask."
: 

If you follow them, you can hear more of their conversation:
:Alchemy: "Now, if you're going to be a proper Hopeful, I'm going to need you to take a form similar to one of my players. Can you do that?"
:Cres: "Oh! Yes! With your help that will be easy! How is this?"
: 
:Alchemy: "You'll have no difficulty with brisk scene changes, certainly. Now for a name that speaks to your soul. What about … Dreamer?"
:Dreamer: "Dreamer. I like that very much."

They will eventually disappear along the path. You can later meet Alchemy and Dreamer back at the Reveries camp.

If Cres needs to be banished.
:Alchemy: "I'm sorry Cres, even if you mean no harm, you are the cause of it." (Starts sending Cres back into Oblivion)
:Cres: "I'm sorry if I hurt those people. I hope they recover. Please tell them I was glad to know the-" (Gets sent back into Oblivion}
:Alchemy: "The Daedra is gone. Though the rifts they caused will remain there for some time."''