Online:Noroth

Noroth is a Dremora who can be found standing over the body of Tephilaz with Fessitosha in the Wretched Spire.
  

Related Quests


Quest-Related Events
Peace's Wretched Price
The crime scene
Approach what appears to be a crime scene:
:Fessitosha: "Why concern yourself with this? We can outlast the mortals."
:Noroth: "Hrmph. Perhaps. But the chaos still threatens us."

Speaking to him to start the quest:
:''"What do you see, mortal? A Dremora shell on the ground? What does that matter? We don't die, after all. Could bring chaos. Disrupt the town's stability. Someone knew this and sent Tephilaz back to Oblivion. I need to know who. You can help."
:Why would one Dremora's end lead to chaos?
:"Wretched Spire hides Daedra. Can't get summoned while here. We like that. But mortals want us gone. That won't happen. Tephilaz seeks a treaty. Removing him delays that. The mortals may try to purge Daedra in his absence. If so, they'll die."
:Why do you care if mortals die?
:"We know not the source of the Spire's protection. Any change might end it. Including mortal deaths. You are mortal. Save your people. Speak to them so I can find the one who seeks violence. If lives do not concern you, I can provide mortal coin."
:I'll help you. What do you need from me?
:"Several mortals stand about, gawking. Two will tell what they saw. Ruldzara speaks freely to anyone. And Tarvyn, on the hill. Ally to Daedra. I'll take Tephilaz's shell to a necrologist in the Daedric area. Meet me there with what you learn."
:Why is Tephilaz so crucial to Wretched Spire's peace? / Tell me more about Tephilaz.
::"The Daedra of Wretched Spire prefer our unbound status. No masters, no summoners. We will stay under the protection this area provides. At any cost. Tephilaz spoke for us with the city's leaders. Treaty negotiations. Influence over city operations."
::Couldn't you kill the mortal leaders? Why rely on them?
::"Very smart that you recognize this. My answer is unsatisfying. Daedra do not want to change anything about Wretched Spire. The protection's source remains unclear. The spire? The people? Until we understand more, all must stay the same."
::So what purpose will a treaty serve if you're already here?
::"Solitude. The constant disruptions of our existence by mortals anger us. An agreement would ensure we are left alone. You should understand—the mortals believe they allow us to stay. They cannot conceive that we allow them to live."
::You mentioned taking Tephilaz to a necrologist. What is that?
::"A researcher. Specializes in the empty shells Daedra leave behind. Their composition. Uses alchemy and magic to reveal secrets. He doesn't speak in the mortal tongue often. May confuse you. I'll need to interpret for him."
:Tell me more about Wretched Spire.
::"A complicated place, even for a mortal town. It exists as a boil in the Deadlands. An infection that Mehrunes Dagon knows exists but cannot heal. It goes unwitnessed. To my benefit."
::Where did it come from?
::"Hrmph. Did Mehrunes Dagon's arrival on your plane go unnoticed? Was his tearing a city from its roots a common event on Nirn? I have never been there. So I do not know. A mortal summoned the Prince. He ripped up the spire and flung it here."
::Why doesn't Mehrunes Dagon destroy this place?
::"Good question. No one can say. I hear many theories. Protected by a different Prince. Saved for later. Dagon thinks it's funny. Nothing certain. Without an answer, we must maintain stasis. Nothing can change. Otherwise, Dagon may take notice."
:What makes you so invested in keeping the peace?/Tell me more about yourself.
::"I refuse to have a master. I reject clans. No prince compels my allegiance while I stand within these walls. This arrangement suits me. When Tephilaz began negotiations with the mortals, I offered him protection. As you can see, I failed."
::Why didn't you stop the attack on him?
::"Tephilaz makes his own choices. He is unbound just as I am. If he wishes to walk without me, then so be it. I would not stop him. Though, obviously, it was foolish."
::Doesn't working in service of someone make him your master?
::"Limited mortal philosophy. Can he force me to kill you if I did not wish? No. Can he embed thoughts in my mind forcing me to worship him? No. Can he bring me to another plane against my will? Again, no. He is no master. Only a useful tool."''

The Necrologist
After speaking to the witnesses, go to the necrologist's shack:
:Noroth: ''"You're here. Ritual starts soon. Tell me what you learned."
:Miksotet: "Agree! Remnant speak to artifacts."

Speaking to him:
:"I mentioned a necrologist. Miksotet's the one. If the shell holds clues, he can find them. His ritual requires your aid. I promised you would give it. First, tell me what you learned. Did a mortal see what happened?"
:No one was near Tephilaz when he collapsed.
:"Hrmph. Magic from a distance, then? I saw no scorching from fire. Cursed object maybe? No, pockets were empty. Let's hope Miksotet reveals more. Why did he leave the Daedric area? He preferred not to upset the mortals."
:Tephilaz had just met with Faven Indoril for negotiations.
:"Makes sense. Would Faven attack him? Maybe. He resents all Daedra. But how? And why the delay? Still too many questions. Don't like it. Help Miksotet with the ritual. Claims the magic needs mortal hands. Promised me it won't hurt you."
:How do I assist Miksotet's ritual?
:"By smoke and light. Miksotet will call for a reagent. Find it, throw it on the ashes. He will explain what he sees. I will translate for you. His speaking needs practice. Start with the dead Banekin. We can go from there."

Speaking to him before placing the dead Banekin:
:"Miksotet claims he requires a mortal. Your life is limited. Best way to connect to an empty shell. I still need you, though. Stay unharmed. He said to begin with the dead Banekin. Toss it in the brazier. We'll see the results. 

Place the dead Banekin into the brazier and examine Tephilaz's head:
:Miksotet: "Pathways withered. Flew after darkness."
:Noroth: "The brain decayed rapidly. Forced the Vestige from the shell. The urn dust next."

Speaking to him before placing the urn dust:
:''"Good start. First results are curious. But promising. There's more to learn from the shell. Continue with the ritual. Follow Miksotet's instructions. Easy enough."''

Place the urn dust into the brazier and examine Tephilaz's chest:
:Miksotet: "Mold dancing in river. Fade the marrow."
:Noroth: "Poison flooded the shell. But from what? Last, the blue plant."

Place the blue plant into the brazier and examine Tephilaz's abdomen:
:Miksotet: "Ah! Charred reveal!"
:Noroth: "Poison beneath the skin. The entry point. We must talk."
:Miksotet: "Blighted stump brings strange ichor. Northwest."

After the ritual:
:"Curious. A poison that affects Daedra. Hrmph. This is new to me. We know more now. Not a random attack from a hater of Daedra. Someone able to apply this to Tephilaz. Got close. This was planned."
:Where do we go next?
:"First, I need this substance. Not to use. To examine. And … maybe to use. Depends on how events progress. Miksotet says he knows of it. On a fallen tree to the northwest. I would like you to collect some. Too dangerous for me."
:I can collect the substance. What will you do?
:''"I will ask around about this poison. See if someone peddles it. Perhaps someone moving for power. Then, I'll visit the last person Tephilaz spoke to. Faven Indoril. Meet me in the spire, center of town. Unlikely he reveals much without you there."
:What do you know about Faven?
:"Arrived when the spire fell. Mehrunes Dagon flung him here. Hates Daedra now. Understandable. Leads the mortals' council. Opposes Daedra residence. Possible suspect."
:If he leads the council, why does he let you stay?
:"Tephilaz explained the situation. We will not leave. If the mortals attempt to force us, they will die. Simple."
:Then, what were they negotiating?
:"Our existence can remain adversarial. Knives forever at our throats. Tension makes existence a burden, inefficient. Or, it can be beneficial. They provide a seat on the council. We offer protection from the Deadlands' many threats."

Speaking to him again before finding the substance:
:"Daedric bodies not the same as mortals'. Toxins from your plane have little effect. What this poison Miksotet knows of consists of … hrmph. Search for the blighted tree in the northwest. Collect this substance. Bring it to me at Spire Hall."''

Spire Hall
Enter the Spire Hall and you'll hear a discussion:
:Noroth: "Do not pursue this, Faven. It will fail."
:Faven Indoril: ''"Daedra don't belong here. This was once sacred ground!"
:Tarvyn Indoril: "Father, please just hear Noroth out."

Speaking to him:
:"This conversation goes as expected. Faven has a simple mind. Surprised Tephilaz hasn't killed him yet. The blighted tree, did you find it? A sample of poison may help us identify our target."
:Yes, I found it just outside the town.
:"Well done. Beginning to understand why mortals summon Banekin. Very useful to have an assistant. A curious substance. If we find anyone else with it, we may have our target."
:How do we proceed?
:"Speak to Faven. You're a mortal. He may respond better to you. Ask about his conversation with Tephilaz. Get a sense of his plans. Important we delay a purge. At least until Tephilaz returns."

Before you speak to Faven:
:"Faven holds power in Wretched Spire. Too much. His word could convince other mortals to attack Daedra. Try to force us out. They will fail. And die. Speak with him. Learn about what he and Tephilaz talked about. Calm him down."

After speaking to Faven:
:"Vontan. This one is not known to me. We must learn more. Go to the Fleapits District. I will follow shortly."

Vontan
Discover what Vontan knows and leave the Fleapits. Noroth will be waiting for you outside the entrance:
:"Regrets. I was detained. Did you find Vontan? What did you learn?"
:Vontan is dead. He was dying when I found him.
:"Dead? Another murder? And this time a mortal …. So, the trail ends here."
:No. I found papers that claim the Waking Flame cult has infiltrated town, and they have local help.
:"Waking Flame? The mortal followers of Mehrunes Dagon? Here? Could they seek to disrupt our protections? We must speak to Faven. He needs to know about this threat. And then we must purge the cult before they endanger our sanctity."
:I'll meet you back at Spire Hall.
:"Faven must know what you learned. I refuse to allow my protection to fall. And I doubt you want to see the mortals here endangered by this cult. We must return to Spire Hall."
:Any idea who might be helping the Dagon cult?
::"First thought? Someone in town is secretly a member of this Order of the Waking Flame. And possibly someone who Tephilaz was in contact with. Otherwise, they would not have gotten close enough to administer the poison."
::Could it be Faven? He hates the Daedra.
::"Perhaps, but I think it unlikely. Faven protects the town. Claims it as his domain. Would never allow outsiders to take over. The mortal holds too much pride. And he hates Mehrunes Dagon. No sense to it."
:Can you make sense of those symbols I found at Vontan's hovel?
::"Not yet, but in time. These type of runes, not my specialty. Also, I am cut off from a great deal of knowledge. The price of freedom."
::Does that price bother you?
::"Bother? You mean, anger? Upset? These aren't experiences that I have. My … moods are set. Fixed. I am who I am. Who I will always be. Even my search for freedom from mastery is eternal. Living here—just a temporary success."''

Return to Spire Hall
Return to the tower and you'll discover Faven, dead:
:Noroth: "Faven now? Events spiral out of control."

Speaking to him before examining the body and note:
:"With Faven dead … this does not bode well for Wretched Spire. Investigate the scene while I continue to decipher this text you found. Something here must reveal who is behind these acts."

Examine Faven's body:
:Noroth: "Once again, no struggle. Hrmph."

Read Faven's Note:
:Noroth: "So he decided to act against the Daedra. We should destroy that note."

After you investigated the entire scene, he will say:
:Noroth: "I think I understand. Let us speak."

Speaking to him:
:''"Faven planned to attack Daedra. Attempt to push us out. And it would have failed. The mortals don't have the numbers, the strength. And we would just keep coming. Won't happen now. But we needed him to remove the Waking Flame. No leadership now."
:Were you able to decipher those symbols?
:"Yes. They refer to a location. A kind of encrypted map. But also a key. The Waking Flame's nearby camp. Indicates the cultists are about to make their move. I will try to rally the town, but I need you to go to the camp. Do what you can to stop them."
:I'll go to the Waking Flame camp.
:"The inscriptions describe an entrance to the southwest. It may be hidden. Well-guarded. But you seem capable. Find what you can that explains these events. Do your best to hinder the cult. I will seek to rally the town's residents—all of them."

Before you head out to find the camp:
:"Waking Flame. Dagon cult. Digging their way into the town. Must be the tip of the spear. They threaten my protection. My freedom. And, I guess, the lives of your mortals. Go clear them out. Perhaps something there will explain their actions."''

Confession
At the camp you'll find Tarvyn and discover he's the one helping the Waking Flame. Once spotted, he'll run. Follow him and several townspeople, including Noroth, will guide you to an overlook south of town.
:Noroth: "You chase Tarvyn, mortal? Very well. I shall follow."  

Corner Tarvyn and get him to confess:
:Noroth: "A confession. Good. Makes things easy."

Speaking to him to conclude the quest:
:''"Tarvyn. Undermining our safety. Didn't see that possibility. Hrmph. I don't understand his thinking. Why help us? Why invite danger into his home? Mortal reasoning doesn't follow an obvious path."
:He thought he was helping and things just spiraled out of control.
:"Daedra don't need help. Why fight for us? I thought mortals valued their own kind. I will take him back to town. We need to stabilize it. Make it the same as it was. Nothing must threaten my protection. You completed the task. Here's the payment."''

After you've completed the quest, you can ask him about the future:
:"Two mortals dead. Tephilaz displaced. Tarvy wracked by guilt and shame. Too much disruption to the status quo. You did well. I do not believe in bindings. If I did, I would choose you. Mortal capability at its best."
:What happens now?
:"My wish? Wretched Spire stays the same. Nothing changes. Nothing disrupted. Whatever power provides the protection for Daedra remains in place. We cannot bring back the mortals. A complication, then. But I will work to fix that."
:What will you do with Tarvyn?
:"His father was leader. To keep the status quo, Tarvyn must take up the position. My people will not care. And we can appease any mortals who speak out. Tarvyn will see the wisdom and agree, in time. Manipulable, that one."

Hope Springs Eternal
Join the celebration at Leyawiin Castle:
:''"Don't like it here. Too open. Exposed. Could be summoned at any moment. Captured. Hope this magic holds as promised."
:Why are you outside Wretched Spire?
:"Didn't want to come. Madam Whim promised a ward. Protection from summoning. Only temporary. Go back to the town soon. Nirn is uncomfortable. Never been here before. Smells different. Too bright. Not clear why mortals like it."
:What will you do after returning to the town?
:"Good question. Perhaps wait for Tephilaz to return. May take up pursuit of treaty. Tarvyn owes me. May be willing to sign. Covered up his actions. Mortals aren't aware. Maintained stability. Eventually the protection will end. Then I'll move on."

After Eveli gives her speech:
:"We meet again. Heard a story about you. Heard you held off Mehrunes Dagon's attack. Defeated the Prince. Good. You did well in Wretched Spire. Clever. Strong. Perhaps I'll need you again. Made a good assistant."''