Neloth ( Dragonborn ) Neloth is a master Telvanni wizard - lord and Enchanting trainer . He is said to be one of the oldest and most respected members of House Telvanni and a leading expert on heart stone s . He lives in the main tower of Tel Mithryn with his apprentice , Talvas Fathryon . He also employs various workers within the settlement , including a steward , cook , and mycologist . He wears a set of Telvanni robes and shoes and carries an ebony dagger . Background . During the late Third Era Neloth lived in Tel Naga , a Telvanni tower located in Sadrith Mora , Vvardenfell . During this time he served as a clan leader in House Telvanni . Several of his fellow Telvanni councilors were assassinated if the Nerevarine joined the Mages Guild during the events of . Neloth managed to survive and went on to become the most powerful wizard of House Telvanni . Some even consider him to be the most powerful wizard in all of Morrowind . At some point before the eruption of Red Mountain in 4E 05 , Neloth left the island and moved to Solstheim , where he grew his citadel , Tel Mithryn , and the surrounding buildings with cuttings he brought from Morrowind . He also transplanted a few Silt Strider s when he arrived , however none seem to have survived . It was around this time he began studying the ash and molten rocks that landed on the shores of Solstheim from Red Mountain . He named them heart stone s , and learned that they had the capacity to raise Ash Spawn from pieces of bone buried in the nearby ash . Neloth deduced that because they lay next to the Heart of Lorkhan for millennia , some vestige of its power must have seeped into them . It led him to believe they held secrets that have the potential to unlock great power . Using his knowledge of heart stones , he created a staff enchanter , an exceptional feat beyond the skill of many wizards and mages . Powered by a large heart stone , it was capable of enchanting staves from all schools of magic , providing a heart stone was used in the imbuing process . In addition to his arcane research , Neloth also pursued an interest in acquiring Daedric Artifacts , particularly those attributed to Hermaeus Mora . He spent many years searching for the Oghma Infinium without success , however manages to recover a Black Book , one of the many tomes of esoteric knowledge scattered throughout the world . Using the book , he located another in the ruins of Nchardak , a Dwemer Ruin on the east coast of Solstheim . After exploring a small part of the ruins , he discovered the book was sealed within a protective case that he was unable to open . He elected to seal the ruins shut to keep out any meddlers until he could find a way to unlock the case . Decades later he took on the services of a mycologist named Elynea Mothren , who became responsible for nurturing his tower , and later an apprentice named Ildari Sarothril . Ildari was headstrong with a strong interest in magic , however her lust for power caused her to continually push Neloth to teach her more . Continuing his research into heart stones , Neloth began performing necropsies on spriggans , which led him to believe that a heart stone could be implanted in a person ' s chest , granting them great power . He considered replacing his own heart with a heart stone , however Ildari was coaxed into becoming his test subject with promises of power and glory . Neloth maintains the idea that Ildari volunteered to let him operate on her first , however it is suggested that she actually had no choice in the matter . In 4E 181 , Neloth performed the surgery that resulted in Ildari ' s heart being replaced with a heart stone . The experiment failed and Ildari died as a result . Neloth , mildly annoyed by the setback , had her buried in the cemetery behind Tel Mithryn . It was after this he took on Talvas Fathryon as his new apprentice , as he continued his research . Personality . Neloth is an eccentric , self - absorbed , tyrannical taskmaster with little to no regard for the safety of his apprentices or employees . He cares little for sentimentality or manners , not because he deliberately sets out to be malicious , rather because he sees little value in it . A fact that makes many of his workers disgruntled . He views gratitude as a tool for the weak and foolish but is not above rewarding those who perform their duties admirably . In fact the only thing that seems to garner his attention is when efforts made are not wasted , believing that if a person fails , it is because they simply did not try hard enough . He almost never accepts responsibility for his own flaws and does not accept the limits of others . He will often blame them for anything that goes wrong , yet is a profound genius at the art of enchanting and many other magical fields . He also has a special skill with enchantment in general , being a staff enchanter himself . He is also a collector of magical staffs , especially those crafted by Azra Nightwielder and has a strong affinity for canis root tea . Though many view him with disdain , none can deny his mastery over the arcane was a trait that he had earned , entitling him to his arrogance . Despite his ability , Neloth hints very briefly at a possible insecurity of being bested in a test of ability . If asked for training in Enchanting with a skill of 90 or above , he will say that he will not teach the player further , saying : " " It wouldn ' t do to have you become better than me after all . " " This could be a possible indicator that Neloth does not offer extensively thorough teaching because he seeks to keep his abilities above those of others . ( Though this is just a speculation . ) Schedule . Neloth is initially found at the Earth Stone , observing the entranced townsfolk of Raven Rock . He will remain here until he is spoken to or once the quest " Dragonborn " has been completed . He then moves to his home in Tel Mithryn where his daily schedule focuses mainly around his work . He often paces back and forth around his laboratory , sits down to read or engages in a brief conversation with his apprentice , Talvas Fathryon . He also casts the Candlelight or Fast Healing spell on himself from time to time . Despite there being several beds in Tel Mithryn , Neloth never seems to sleep . A trait best summarized by Talvas when he remarks : " " I don ' t know how he does it , but he never rests for even a moment . " " , although on other occasions he reveals that Neloth apparently sleeps with . The only time he breaks this schedule is when he travels with the Dragonborn to Nchardak during the quest " The Path of Knowledge " . Interactions . Dragonborn . If approached at the Earth Stone , he ' ll ask why the Dragonborn is here . If asked about Miraak , he mentions that Miraak has been dead for thousands of years . He then suggests the Temple of Miraak may hold some answers . See Quotes for the full dialogue . The Path of Knowledge . Upon completing The Fate of the Skaal , cleansing the Wind Stone and freeing his people , Storn Crag - Strider suggests Neloth may know the location of the Black Book that gave Miraak his power over the dragons . Upon meeting him , the Telvanni wizard reveals his vast knowledge of the tomes of esoteric knowledge created by Hermaeus Mora , and explains that is located in the Dwarven ruin of Nchardak and may be related to Miraak in some way . Neloth travels with the Dragonborn to the sunken city to recover the Black Book from its depths . Experimental Subject . Neloth offers the Dragonborn to become a test subject for a new spell that supposedly increases the target ' s vigor . Once the spell is cast , he remarks that if any side effects are apparent , he should be notified straight away . The spell itself provides a small permanent boost to health , however , coming into contact with water in turn permanently reduces health a similarly small amount , until Neloth is informed and the spell is reversed . Heart Stones . Pursuing his study into the ash from Red Mountain , Neloth explains that he is running low on heart stone and requires the Dragonborn bring him one . This can happen repeatedly . Telvanni Research . Neloth reveals he is working on a new spell that would allow him to conjure Ash Spawn . He requires the Dragonborn to obtain a sample of ash from the remains of one such creature using his ash extractor . Reluctant Steward . Neloth ' s steward , Varona Nelas , has gone missing . After some investigation , it is discovered that she was attacked and killed on a supply run to Raven Rock by ash spawn . Neloth , mildly annoyed by the inconvenience , tasks the Dragonborn to find him a suitable candidate from Raven Rock , then expresses mild discontent with the results . It is later revealed that his steward ' s death was not merely bad luck , but something more sinister was afoot . Briarheart Necropsy . Attempting to reach a breakthrough in his research into heart stones , Neloth reveals he is having difficulties with his experiments . He explains that a Forsworn Briarheart uses a technique which involves removing their own heart and replacing it with a large briar seed . He believes this puts their life spark in direct connection to the natural forces and grants them great power . Neloth wishes to mimic this deadly procedure with a heart stone , which , he hopes , will be able to connect a living being to the remnants of the Heart of Lorkhan ' s power seared into the material of Red Mountain . In order to learn more about the methods the savage Briarhearts use , he asks the Dragonborn to examine one with the aid of a memory trace spell he casts beforehand . He also requires the Briarheart to be killed so that their heart can be examined properly . Old Friends . Following the death of his steward , recurrent ash spawn assaults , and the withering of his tower , even falsely accusing dragons of purposely attacking him , Neloth asks the Dragonborn to investigate the matter further as he suspects someone deeply hateful of him is responsible . After uncovering the empty grave of his former apprentice , Ildari Sarothril , Neloth discovers that she is indeed still alive and is likely the one behind the attacks . After casting a divination , Neloth reveals her location and asks the Dragonborn to go kill his former apprentice . Upon completion of the grim task , Neloth honors the Dragonborn by naming them a member of House Telvanni . If asked about what this means , he replies : " " For now , not much . But in a few decades when I return to Vvardenfell , you would be seen as Morrowind nobility . In the mean time , we would keep a bed and chest here for you . " " The bed and chest is a lie . A Sight for Sore Eyes . Continuing his research into the arcane , Neloth believes he has discovered a new form of silence . While some philosophers postulate that only seven forms of silence exist , Neloth believe there ' s an eighth , however , he requires a test subject to test this . Allowing him to precede unexpectedly results in the Dragonborn ' s blindness . Neloth realizes the error and comments that writhing tentacles have appeared where the eyes once were , and the tongue has become worse . Eventually , the spell wears off and he rewards the Dragonborn with some gold as a way of thanks , though will occasionally and amusingly remind them of it . Azra ' s Staffs . In a break from his research into heart stones and ash spawn , Neloth makes a more personal request . He explains he is a collector of magical staffs , with an especially sentimental value for those made by the legendary Azra Nightwielder . Through some divination , he believes he has located one and would like it retrieved . Once Azra ' s staff is retrieved , Neloth rewards the Dragonborn with a staff from his own collection . Wind and Sand . Neloth reveals he has been trying to adapt Redguard magic to his studies of the ashes . He believes the key concept he is missing is recorded in Afa - Saryat ' s book , " Wind and Sand " . According to one of his associates , he has located the book and asks the Dragonborn to retrieve it for him . After acquiring the book and returning it to Neloth , he will remark that although the book was not the answer he was looking for , he can still adapt the knowledge he has learned into a spell that creates a cloak with the power of a whirlwind . He mentions he will write out the specifics into a spell tome and have Talvas put it out for sale in a few days . At the Summit of Apocrypha . Once the main questline has been completed and Miraak defeated , visiting Neloth in Tel Mithryn results in him approaching and remarking : " " Hold still . Let me get a good look at you . " " The following conversation then takes place : At this stage , Neloth can end the conversation in one of two ways . If all Black Books have been found prior to this point , he replies : If some Black Books are still to be found , he replies with : This in turn begins the side quest Lost Knowledge : Lost Knowledge . Neloth reveals that he knows of the location of a Black Book . Excitedly , he asks the Dragonborn to retrieve it , hoping it might contain the final secrets of Xarxes . Once the book has been recovered , Neloth grants a reward and makes a copy for himself , remarking that it is far too dangerous to carry the real book around , allowing the Dragonborn to carry the book instead . Services . Enchanting training . If asked about Enchanting training , Neloth reveals himself to be a true master of the art . If Enchanting skill level is less than 90 , he reluctantly agrees to give a lesson . If skill level is equal to or higher than 90 , he becomes defensive and refuses to train the Dragonborn , a sharp contrast to all other skill trainers who , in the same circumstances , simply state that don ' t have the knowledge to train the Dragonborn any further . Staves merchant . In addition to providing training , Neloth also serves as a magical goods merchant . Most notably , he sells unenchanted staves , in addition to regular enchanted staves and soul gems . Provided he has granted use of his staff enchanter , by finding him a new steward , the unenchanted staves can be enchanted . He typically carries 1000 on hand for trading , but this can be increased to 2000 with the Master Trader perk . Combat . In battle , Neloth proves himself to be a powerful mage . He typically activates his Whirlwind Cloak and Ebonyflesh as battle begins , and the core of his arsenal consists of shock - related spells , such as Chain Lightning and Thunderbolt , which are 50 % more powerful thanks to his Augmented Shock perk . He also conjures a powerful Ash Guardian to aid him , which benefits from his Atromancy and Elemental Potency perks . For defense , he uses a Greater Ward and heals himself with Fast Healing which is also augmented with the Regeneration perk . His robes grant him 150 % increased magicka regeneration , while his shoes give him a 70 % resistance to shock . His passive Magic Resistance perk blocks 20 % of incoming spell ' s effects . Should his large magicka supply run dry , he switches to his ebony dagger . Conversations . First meeting . Neloth can be first encountered at the Earth Stone during the quest Dragonborn , where he will give the following dialogue . However , if this first initial meeting is skipped , he can later be met at his home in Tel Mithryn after the first quest has been completed , where his dialogue will vary slightly . Earth Stone . Traveling to the Earth Stone , several townsfolk can be seen working on the structure . Neloth , who is observing nearby , will approach and ask : He can then be questioned further : Each time a stone is activated , he remarks : " " That seems . . . inadvisable " " . Then he remarks : " " Fascinating , By touching the stone , you appear to have fallen under whatever influence is affecting the others . " " By breaking the spell , he remarks : " " Ah , so you appear to be able to resist the effect by exerting your will . Fascinating ! I would not advise touching the stone again . The effects of repeated contact could be . . . Unless of course you ' d like to contribute to my investigation . It could be very enlightening to observe you . " " Tel Mithryn . Either after the meeting at the Earth Stone or once the quest Dragonborn has been completed , Neloth returns to Tel Mithryn . If he was met during the aforementioned quest he asks : " " You again . Didn ' t I see you in Raven Rock ? " " If this is first time meeting him , he will instead remark : " " I don ' t recall inviting you into my tower . I do hope you make this worth my while . " " The next set of non quest - related dialogue options becomes available if this is the first interaction : After this response , it ' s possible to give him one of the following three replies . Two of the options that appear depend upon the progress of the College of Winterhold questline : The Sun Stone . Visiting Tel Mithryn at night , before completion of the quest " Cleansing the Stones " , reveals everyone in the settlement have gone to work at the Sun Stone , under Miraak ' s spell . Black Books . Once " The Path of Knowledge " has begun , Neloth can be asked about the origins of the Black Books : Heart Stones . During " Old Friends " or " Briarheart Necropsy " , Neloth can be asked about heart stones : Morrowind . Any time after first meeting Neloth , he can be questioned about the province of Morrowind . He replies with one of seven possible answers , however he can be repeatedly asked the initial question . Talvas . Neloth and Talvas occasionally partake in several brief conversations that can be heard when visiting Tel Mithryn . They typically result in Neloth berating his apprentice for one reason or another . Varona . Neloth ' s steward , Varona Nelas will converse with him during the day , however these converations can only be heard before the quest " Reluctant Steward " has began . Drovas . Once Drovas Relvi becomes Neloth ' s new steward , the following conversation can be heard :