The ( Improved ) Emperor ' s Guide to Tamriel : High Rock The ( Improved ) Emperor ' s Guide to Tamriel is a book written by Flaccus Terentius to explain his adventures throughout Tamriel during the Second Era . It was written as an additional Guide book to . Content . The Bretons of the Daggerfall Covenant I don ' t remember much of the voyage from the Imperial City to Wayrest , as I was learning for the first time that ocean travel makes me woefully seasick . It was a relief when the ship finally entered the waters of the Iliac Bay and we left the great ocean rollers behind . The captain sent me ashore in the ship ' s longboat . Disembarking , I heaved my belongings onto the jetty and beckoned over an untidy child . With a shiny coin as inducement , the urchin eagerly furnished me with directions into Wayrest . I headed down his “ shortcut . ” The path soon turned from cobbles to mud , and the structures became more precarious and shoddy . Gaunt faces stared out from the shadowy slums . I pressed on to the west , cursing that youngster ' s lies . As the city walls faded into the sea mist , I stumbled into the dreugh ' s spawning grounds . “ Away from the billies ! ” a man caked in mud yelled from his nearby shack . I scrambled back to safety . “ Not too close ! Avoid the broodmothers and you ’ ll be safe ! ” I curbed my temper and sketched these crablike creatures . Retracing my steps , I found the lying rascal and taught him a sharp lesson about misleading travelers . I spent some time studying and painting in the Stormhaven countryside - - a charming realm of rolling hills , lush flood plains , rocky outcrops , and copses of ancient woodland . The place would be idyllic were it not for the perpetual unsettled gloom , occasional crackles of thunder , and bolts of Kynareth ' s rage that arc across the skies . After my unplanned exploration of the slums , I gathered my resolve for my meeting with High King Emeric . Collecting my various credentials , I made my way through the throngs of Wayrest to the palace . My audience with the king - - and request for exploration throughout his province - - was upon me . “ Emeric the first , Earl of Cumberland , King of Wayrest , and by the Grace of the Divines , High King of the Daggerfall Covenant . Please step forward and kneel . ” A hefty - looking bannerman beckoned me forward . Emeric glanced at my letters of introduction and writ of transit and peered down at my prostrate form through eyes edged with crow ’ s feet . He was still a young man , but the wars of his land had left their marks . “ So … Flaccus Terentius , is it ? You ' re of the Chancellor Tharn ' s envoys , are you ? Although I find the man … distasteful , he is a powerful force for Cyrodiil . For the moment , at least . ” He gestured to a Redguard in the regalia of the Lion Guard . “ See that no harm comes to this guest . Terentius , you can claim your stipend from the Wayrest Bank . Now , to other matters … ” I was ushered out like a common house servant . Kings ! As I wandered in wonder through the great city of Wayrest , it is obvious the grip of King Emeric has over his mostly faithful subjects . My Lion Guard chaperones were polite but looked down their pointed noses at me . I drew their standard armor and favored weapons as they goaded me with questions such as “ Are you really a traveling writer , or just the least subtle spy we ' ve ever seen ? ” I smiled at their taunts , but beneath my deferential exterior , I was seething . After the bravado and backslapping of the Lion Guard , it was a relief to gain entrance into the Wayrest Cathedral and be at peace for a while . Priestess Gidric informed me that the city ' s elite worship here , and Emeric ' s coronation was held under these arched buttresses . I can see why : Although the stone arcade could never be describes as breathtaking - - it lacks the overwhelming grandeur of the Imperial City ' s great cathedral - - it is nevertheless a feat of engineering to be commended . The Bretons really did try their best . As the light from Aetherius poured through the sanctuary glass , I felt the warmth of Mara for the first time since coming to Wayrest and relaxed my weary bones . My final time of rest in Wayrest . It was time to leave Wayrest behind and head north , into deepest High Rock . The Lion Guard offered me a mount , but large animals make me nervous , so I declined . I gathered my provisions and set off afoot , heading up the road towards the city of Shornhelm in the region of Rivenspire . Aside from farms , which gradually gave way to craggy scars and fells , I encountered few dwellings , until I came across the aptly - named Pariah Abbey . Here was a monastery openly devoted to the worship of Azura ! Sister Jerique , one of their so - called Spirit Wardens , invited me to a “ communion with Moonshadow . ” I politely refused her advances , although I supped from the sweet beverage she offered . Azura ' s presence felt strangely comforting , albeit heretical . In need of proper sustenance , I took to the road and found a roadside inn with a roaring hearth and a friendly barkeep . After a goblet of barley wine , I felt a little light - headed , so I embarked on an evening stroll to clear my head . These blasted rural pathways lacked proper signage and lighting . The ground turned steep and wooded . Twisted branches brushed my breeches as I found myself in a deep ravine . A buttress of rocks surrounded a glade of gnarled bushes . Dominating this space was an effigy of Vaernima that seemed to have risen out of a nightmare . My mind churning with horrific thoughts of sacrifice and cultists , I tentatively inspected with monument to the Weaver of Dreams . The flames of lit candles stood straight : The wind has stopped . This was not a place for loitering . Then I heard a voice : “ Beware , Flaccus Terentius . You trespass in Moonlit Maw . ” I let out a yelp . But the voice was familiar , soothing . I remembered Jerique ' s words mentioning the Supernal Dreamers of Vaernima , dangerous cultists active in these parts . Nervous , I asked her for assistance , and she guided me back to the inn . I woke the next morning with the barkeep banging on my door holding breakfast . A black rose was on the table next to me . A detachment of Breton guards joined me on the road to Shornhelm , and offered me their protection as we marched ( rather too quickly for my constitution ) north from Newgate , leaving Stormhaven behind . The bloody history of haunted Rivenspire may be of interest here : " [ The tortured landscape of Rivenspire is afflicted with a species of feral vampire called Bloodfiend s . Fortunately their plague isn ' t very contagious , or the land would be overrun with them . ] " " [ I unfolded the painting of Rivenspire I purchased at Wayrest . The artist responsible should be fired - preferably from a catapult - for this wildly inaccurate piece of fantasy . This was obviously painted by someone who never set foot north of Oldgate . ] " Though the landscape of Rivenspire is dramatic , I found the city of Shornhelm gloomy and dull ; after only one night at the inn , I decided to head south for Glenumbra and the city of Daggerfall . A Lion Guard named Mannick Noellaume was detailed to “ protect ” me . I feigned interest as he explained he was traveling to the great cemetery of Cath Bedraud . Mannick keeps quite a pace , but he soon informed me that we ’ d crossed the pass into Glenumbra . Suddenly , Mannick dropped to his haunches . “ The wolves of Glenumbra prowl these parts , ” Mannick whispered , drawing his sword and dropping his satchels . “ We ’ ve already been seen . ” The first wolf padded out into the path , its hackles standing along the ridge of its back , and jumped for Mannick in a blur of fur . Mannick pivoted , bringing his entire weight behind a massive , two - handed swing , cleaving the wolf in twain . Another wolf leaped from the woods , receiving one of my arrows to its hindquarters before it , too , was cloven apart . “ Ha - ha ! ” I yelled at Mannick . “ Two warriors claim sovereignty of this glade ! ” “ To me ! ” he replied . Puzzled , I spun around as a huge claw whistled past my ear . It was attached to a giant wooden arm , part of a strange , lumbering construct made from bark , moss , and evil magic . I stumbled over to Mannick , who caught another of this wooden golem ' s swings , parried and swung back , biting into the beast ' s forearm . It took him several minutes to defeat the thing . I did my part , shouting encouragement . “ That was a Lurcher , ” Mannick informed me , panting as I painted the corpse of the strange lumber construct . “ These Lurchers started appearing recently in northern and central forests . No one knows why . ” “ Our paths part here . ” Mannick Noellaume had led me to one of the most venerated sites of his people , and now bade me farewell . I spend the evening putting charcoal to parchment among the mausoleums here , before making camp along the ancient remains of nobles of High Rock . My next trek - an exhausting slow slow - took me across the gloomy marshes of Hag Fen , fortunately without incident . The Guide account is mostly accurate and includes a precise depiction of a Hag ' s home , as well as a frightening depiction of how these warty hermits look . But how could our leading Imperial explorers have traipsed across this Fen and failed to mention the smell ? After almost losing a boot in the fens , I managed to scramble away from the mists and mud into Glenumbra ' s gargantuan forests . I was busy attempting to light a campfire when I was startled by a woman , clad in green and brown , who admonished , “ no fires , outsider . Now follow me . ” I was escorted into the vale of the Beldama Wyresses . The glade was dominated by the immense Wyrd Tree , a colossal specimen of oak with a branch canopy that covered the firmament . I noticed fires , small wooden huts draped with hanging moss , and tents throughout the vale . The lissome witch spoke softly . “ Have some broth . Stay among the watchers of the Green , and mind your manners . ” For primitives , these witches seem polite and respectful . At least , until I asked to share one of their huts , which resulted in a scowl and a swift refusal . And the elder wyresses seem to look straight through me . But the soup was good , and I propped my head against a wyress ’ s tent and settled down for the night . Sometime later , I woke with a start . The woodland chatter was drowned out by the sounds of rhythmic chanting . The only illumination was from the glow of the Wyrd tree . I ' d cricked my neck and felt damp and chilled . So when I noticed the hut door was ajar , I took the open door as an invitation to enter . The Wyrd woman ’ s bed looked comfortable , with its skins and rough linen , but I chose caution over comfort and curled up near the still - warm embers of the hearth . My dreams were fitful . I only remember a rasping voice : “ The candle inside your head is lit . At the edge of the woods , I discovered a turnpike and a weathered sign to Deleyn ' s Mill . The path wound through the low hills as the sun ’ s heat warmed my bones . With the hamlet in sight , I had stopped to remove a pebble from my boot when I was greeted by a little old man struggling with an enormous haversack . “ Buy my wares ? ” he inquired . I studied the clanking collection of tin pots , dented drinking cups , and other paraphernalia , and stifled a chuckle . “ These trinkets are worthless , you old coot ! ” I exclaimed , perhaps a little too maliciously . “ I ' d find fancier wares in a pauper ' s grave ! Be off with you ! ” The peddler stopped his clanging and stood dumbfounded . I hopped past . My boot was half on when I heard a great rattling . I thought the elderly fool had fallen over but turned to see his eyes flash red . He fixed his gaze on mine , stood impossibly tall , and began snarling and thrashing like a madman . It took a moment to realize that he was growing both up and out . Hair sprouted from his form and his rags fell away . As his nose lengthened into a black muzzle and his bones cracked and twisted , I finally started to run . I ' d offended a werewolf . I fled in a lung - bursting sprint , abandoning my untied boot in a ditch as I felt hot breath scorching my neck . I dared to glance behind and saw the beast stop , pick up a fallen flagon , and continue . I thanked all Eight Divines ( in order ) as I neared Deleyn ' s Mill guard and the werewolf came within archery range . He roared and bolted for the fields - still carrying his haversack - as I collapsed by a member of the town watch . Had that tinker not been so attached to his wares … well , the outcome doesn ' t bear thinking about . I retrieved my boot and retired to the local tavern . A freckle - faced wench had only just served my sausages when she gasped and pointed at my writing quill and grinned a toothy smile . “ That ' s a harpy feather ! ” she shrilled . “ Yes , ” I responded . “ The nib is particularly durable and enables prolonged writing between ink dips . ” “ You must have got it at Shrieking Scar ! ” she said , and began asking questions about a harpy queen named Foulwing . So the next morning I decided to detour from the direct route to Daggerfall to observe these fanciful creatures . I followed the wench ’ s directions , and an hour later I was among the nests in Shrieking Scar . Harpies there were , in plenty . I hid in a bush and quickly sketched a vigorous specimen in all her immodesty . Do not let their humanlike form fool you : These creatures lack even the rudiments of civilization . I watched them vomit up gruel to feed their young , and quarrel with each other with loud shrieks and razor talons . I returned with three feathers I ' d picked up , and a newfound respect for my quill merchant . After perusing the nearby Fighter ' s Guild , sketching a Breton fountain , and being refused entry into Castle Daggerfall , I spent an afternoon painting the impressive mosaic of the Mages Guildhall from the second floor of the structure . I must admit to some degree of wonderment ; this Guildhall is nearly as elegant and refined as those of the Imperial City ! My admiration was tempered by an argument with the Incunabulist , who failed to acknowledge my Imperial scholarship put me in better standing than his somewhat parochial education . That arrogant little librarian should know his place ! The hearth was aglow and crackling . Tavernkeeper Gregoire Lafont had expedited my roasted ox haunch and all the trimmings just as I ' d dabbed the final paint on my tableaus of the Rosy Lion inn . As I tucked into this succulent feast and ordered another mead , a broad - shouldered Redguard sat down next to me . “ What a splendid picture , ” he remarked with a smile , then added , “ What ’ s your poison ? ” “ Mead , thank you , ” I replied . “ I didn ' t catch your name . ” “ Uwafa . From Sentinel . My master is looking for a decorator . You ’ re perfect for his needs . ” I was still chewing . “ One thousand apologies ! Where are my manners . Eat your dinner . I ’ ll be over by the fire . ” I was intrigued . Many of these Redguards were merchants with gold to spare , and I ’ d need every last coin for my upcoming nuptials . After cleaning my plate , I left out a healthy belch , joined Uwafa and asked about the possible employment . “ I could spare a few days from my travels … . My , this mead is bitter . So why not use local craftsmen ? ” Uwafa grinned . “ Because my master wants an Imperial ” Uwafa was watching me intently and suddenly leaned forward . “ Flaccus , can you follow my finger for a moment ? ” I felt a little dazed . Sparkles of strange light blurred my vision . I nodded as Uwafa waved his clawed gauntlet before me . “ Good , ” I remembered him saying . “ Follow me outside . ” My next memories are a blur of dark shapes and colors - muddy black alleys , the seedy underbelly of Daggerfall . I was swaying as I walked , and rather talkative . That beastly Uwafa had obviously administered some dark narcotic . I think I heard him say something like “ Prepare for the Mark of the Worm . ” Yes , that was it . He wasn ' t friendly anymore . I was being bundled onto a cart ? Yes , I was , and I remembered tripping over a dog . I bent down to pet him ; I must have been completely befuddled . The hound growled at Uwafa and lunged at him . I sat down and watched the dog bite the cutlist , while the commotion attracted the Daggerfall Watch . I heard shouts of “ Heel ! ” as the treacherous Uwafa ran off . I owe that dog my life .