Online:Kharsthun

Kharsthun is an Orc who can be found in Sorrow. He is in charge of the expedition up the mountain.
 

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Quest-Related Events
:''"Who in the name of Malacath's third tusk are you? Don't you know this is sacred ground? Besides, it's also one of the most dangerous places in all of Wrothgar. You shouldn't be wandering around up here."
:Lady Laurent sent me to present myself to you.
:"Oh she did, did she? I hope you know what you're getting into. Harpies and ogres are bad enough, but the true challenge of Sorrow is the mountain itself. The wind cuts like a sword and the freezing mist blinds you. But that's not the worst."
:What's worse than that?
:"Avalanches! Sorrow wields her snow and ice with terrible precision. I've seen strong Orcs swept right off the side like scoring a slaughter in seven-pig knockdown. We tried three times and lost most of our expedition. We're all that's left."
:No one else survived?
:"To be honest, I'm not sure. We barely made it this far before we got separated from the others. If you could look for our companions, that would be helpful. Regardless, we have to find Torug's shrine or all these sacrifices will be for nothing."
:Tell me more about your missing expedition members.
:"They're good Orcs, each and every one of them. Expert climbers, but Sorrow isn't an ordinary mountain. Best way to find them? They should have placed markers to indicate avalanche areas. Just follow the markers."
:Tell me more about Sorrow.
::"Sorrow may not be the tallest mountain in Tamriel, but it's certainly one of the deadliest. That's why the ancient Orcs built memorials to their champions on its slopes.  The higher the location of the tomb, the greater the sacrifice and prestige."
::What do you hope to find up there?
::"We're looking for the shrine of the great Orc hero, Torug gro-Igron. Legend says that Torug's shrine sits at the very top of the mountain, as befits the founder of the original Orsinium. But it's so high up that nothing can survive there."
::That sounds dangerous.
::"Extremely! We've already tried to get up there three times. We lost the rest of the expedition and had to turn back before we barely got out of the base camp. But the danger will be worth it if we can find Torug's legendary relics."
:What's your role in this expedition?
::"I work for Orsinium's newly established museum. I'm their resident expert on the time of Torug, so the museum sent me to assist Lady Laurent and her man-servant. I always dreamed of visiting the shrine, so I jumped at the opportunity."
::So what's Lady Laurent's interest in all this?
::"Her reputation brought her to the attention of the museum and she loves digging around in old tombs. She has a particular interest in an ancient fragment that talks about 'Sorrow's Kiss.' She believes it has something to do with Torug's shrine."
::Do you and Lady Laurent get along?
::"At first, we got along fine. We both love history and exploring ancient sites. But the woman has been driving me crazy! She lacks the fundamental reverence for the past that separates a scholar from a grave robber. I just don't trust her judgment!"''

Speak to him before leaving and he'll say:
:''"Once you clear the path, we'll be able to follow you up the mountain. Hopefully by the time we catch up to you, you'll have found the missing members of our expedition."''

While searching for the missing members, you'll come across a rubbing in a cave:
:Kharsthun: ''"All dead, just as I feared. Wait, what's this?"
:Kharsthun: "Fascinating."
:"Most of the monuments up here are inscribed with three-stanza epitaphs. It was a common practice. This rubbing appears to be Torug's first stanza! It's written in Old Orcish, proclaiming the memorial's inaccessibility. They found Torug's shrine!"
:This doesn't look like a shrine.
:"Well, obviously they found the shrine higher up on the mountain. As to why they came here to die, I have no idea. Maybe the cold or a lack of supplies drove them down. Or they were coming back to meet us. Let us know that they reached the shrine."
:So what do we do now?
:"Let me translate this rubbing. No looters … no lesser Orcs … remarkable! We should try to find the other two stanzas. If I can read the entire epitaph, it might point us to the location of the Armlet of Torug. After that, we'll see."
:I'll try to find the other stanzas.

As you turn to leave, Lady Laurent will appear:
:Lady Clarisse Laurent: "Those poor Orcs! Stibbons, be a dear and bury them."
:Kharsthun: "Don't be ridiculous! They died well. Leave them where they fell."
:Lady Clarisse Laurent: "Leave them? Out in the open? How barbaric!"
:Kharsthun: "Orcs don't bury their dead. And these are the first Orcs to rest on Sorrow in generations. We won't steal that honor from them."
:Lady Clarisse Laurent: "Fine. You are the expert, after all."''

Speak to him again and he'll say:
:''"The rubbing came from a stone plaque of some sort. There should be two more somewhere that contain the rest of Torug's epitaph. If you find them, I should be able to translate the words."''

Find the second inscription and he'll be right behind you:
:Kharsthun: "Another stanza! Incredible! Torug took the armlet to the very summit! But this word …?"

Speak to him before finding the third inscription and he'll tell you:
:''"Incredible! Legends say that Torug sacrificed seven clans to build his tomb, and I can see why! Anyway, the second stanza talks about Torug's relic and Sorrow's kiss. Read my translation and see for yourself."''

At the third inscription, you're friends will arrive with anticipation:
:Stibbons: ''"I think they found the third stanza, m'lady!"
:Lady Clarisse Laurent: "Quiet, Stibbons! There might still be ogres about! Quickly, Kharsthun. What does it say?"
:Kharsthun: "Let me take a look."
:Kharsthun: "Torug wasn't pleased that they built his shrine below the summit. He wanted to rest at the top."
:Lady Clarisse Laurent: "Does it say anything about the Armlet of Torug?"
:Kharsthun: "He carried it to the summit. It says he 'laid Sorrow's … kiss upon it.' Yes, 'zugka.' I'm certain it's "kiss.""
:Lady Clarisse Laurent: "Sorrow's kiss? The same phrase from the fragment! Doesn't that sound so romantic, Stibbons?"
:Stibbons: "Very sentimental, m'lady. But are you sure that doesn't say 'zugra?'"
:Lady Clarisse Laurent: "Now, Stibbons, really! Leave the translating to the experts. In the meantime, I must speak to our friend."

Speak to him before Laurent:
:"Torug! What an Orc! He abandoned his own tomb while obviously near death just to bury himself even higher on the mountain. What an inspiration! The letters are worn, but I'm sure the inscription says 'zugka' and not 'zugra.' I'm almost positive."
:What's the difference between the two words?
:"Well, 'zugka' is the ancient Orcish word for 'kiss.' But 'zugra,' no, I'm sure it's not 'zugra.' At least, I'm almost sure."
:So what does 'zugra' mean?
:"It depends on the context. Bad omens, calamity, some kind of plague or pestilence. But probably, I'd have to translate it here as 'curse.' If the word was 'zugra' and not 'zugka,' you understand."

After speaking to Laurent:
:"I envy you. But don't worry. If the summit takes you, then I will be here to attempt the climb after you die. It's the least I could do for someone who has shown such bravery."''

Trek up to the summit and retrieve the armlet. Start to make your way back down and the world will go white.  You'll awake to find yourself on a lower ledge with your three friends… who are deep in discussion:
:Lady Clarisse Laurent: ''"Look, our friends have returned to their senses. I told you they weren't dead, Stibbons."
:Kharsthun: "And look! That must be the Armlet of Torug! I refuse to let you go through with your plan, Lady Laurent."
:Lady Clarisse Laurent: "Really, Kharsthun, not that again! We clearly have more to discuss. Stibbons, see to our friends."''

Try to speak to him and he'll just say:
:''"Talk to Stibbons. I can't hear a word you're saying over Lady Laurent's insistent blabbering."''

Speak to Stibbons who will tell you that Kharsthun and Lady Laurent disagree on what should be done with the armlet. You'll need to speak to them both and make a decision:
:''"I'm glad you recovered the Armlet of Torug. But before you decide what to do with the relic, you need to hear what I have to say."
:I understand that you and Lady Laurent disagree about what to do with the relic.
:"So it would seem. This shrine stands as a tribute to our past glories. It reveals an age when Orcs thought nothing of sacrificing dozens of warriors to build memorials to our strength. It sets the kind of example that the new Orsinium needs."
:Tell me what you want to do with the relic.
:"The Armlet of Torug should remain in his shrine. Make sure every Orc climbs Sorrow to see it, to understand what our ancestors were capable of achieving. In this way the relic will become a symbol to bind our people together. Surely you can see that?"
: 
::"I knew you'd see it my way! Soon every Orc will be able to make the pilgrimage to Torug's sacred shrine and gaze upon the important relic. You've done the Orcs a great service today, my friend!"
: 
::"Of course. Sorry I got all emotional. You climbed the summit. You found the relic. You should be the one to decide what happens to it next. Just be careful. Lady Laurent has a silver tongue and a single-mindedness that borders on reckless at times."''

The Relic stays
If you agree with Kharsthun that the relic should stay at the shrine, he'll be grateful, much to the chagrin of her ladyship:
:Lady Clarisse Laurent: ''"You sided with Kharsthun? After all we've been through?"
:Kharsthun: "It's been decided. Torug's relic stays in Torug's shrine."
:Lady Clarisse Laurent: "The poor Orcs have to climb up here to see a piece of their heritage? That's positively criminal!"
:Kharsthun: "Wait! What's Stibbons doing with the relic!"
:Lady Clarisse Laurent: "A little faster, Stibbons. I'm anxious to see what the relic actually does!"
:Stibbons: "But, m'lady, what if I'm not worthy?"
:Lady Clarisse Laurent: "Nonsense! We're not afraid of legends and superstitions, are we?"
:Stibbons: "No, m'lady. Of course not. Well, here goes nothing."

Stibbons will don the armlet and freezes stiff.
:Lady Clarisse Laurent: "Oh, Stibbons, what did you do this time?"
:Kharsthun: "Hmm. Maybe your man-servant was right. Maybe it does say 'Sorrow's curse.'"''

Speak to Kharsthun and he'll say:
:''"How embarrassing! But to be fair, it looked like a 'k' and not an 'r.'"''

Finish speaking to Lady Laurent and she'll conveniently open a portal back to base camp:
:Lady Clarisse Laurent: ''"Give me a moment and I'll open a portal back to our base camp."
:Kharsthun: "A portal? So why did we have to make that harrowing climb?"
:Lady Clarisse Laurent: "Teleportation is a delicate business. I can't just open a portal to some place I've never seen."''

Speak to him before entering the portal and he'll comment:
:''"I'm a little worried about getting Stibbons back to the Mages Guild. Orcs don't have a word for 'fragile' or 'handle with care.'"

Down in base camp, Kharsthun and Laurent continue to bicker:
:Lady Clarisse Laurent: "Careful! Don't crack my man-servant! Honestly, you Orcs approach everything like you're going to war."
:Kharsthun: "Perhaps you'd like to carry him, your majesty?"''

The Relic goes
If you agreed to have the relic sent to the museum, Lady Laurent will be very pleased:
: