Gratian Caerellius Gratian Caerellius was an Imperial colonial and archeaologist that worked under the East Empire Trading Company during the third era . Gratian was present during the construction of Raven Rock and served his part in the town ' s growth . History . Third Era . Gratian Caerellius was serving the East Empire Company as a miner for the Raven Rock Mine , which primarily excavates Ebony Ore from the ground . He had helped build the Imperial - Charter township , making it what it is today . With the establishment of Raven Rock , the town was in need of guards and Caerellius decided to join the first regiment of the Raven Rock Guard . Eventually , Gratian returned back to Cyrodiil with his wife and son to explore the ruins of Tamriel under the watch of the East Empire Company . Gratian ' s exploits throughout Tamriel is left largely unknown , at some point , he garnered an assistance named Millius who documented his findings along with Gratian . Gratian had left Raven Rock before it had become a territory of the Great House Redoran . Fourth Era . During Gratian Caerellius ' travels after Raven Rock , he was married and had a child named Rellicus Caerellius , both of whom would travel with Gratian around the world . On the 30th of Rain ' s Hand in 4E 10 , Gratian was given an assignment from the East Empire Company in Raven Rock about their sudden discovery of the Bloodskal Barrow in the Ebony Mines . A month later in Second Seed , Gratian and his group had arrived onto the docks of Raven Rock , which is now under the occupation of the Great House Redoran , much to his surprise . Gratian and Millius had recovered the Caerellius House by it would constantly be covered in Ash . His family would take residence in the Redoran household . On the 9th of Second Seed , the two archaeologists had traversed the Bloodskal Barrow where Gratian learned about the Bloodskal Clan and discover the Bloodskal Blade . Tempted by the Blade ' s mystery , Gratian had pulled the Bloodskal Blade from its pedestal , much to the dismay of Millius . The moment he had picked up the blade , a group of Draugr had attacked the two . Millius had fought valiantly but had succumbed the power of the Undead Nords . Gratian was able to fend off the remain Draugr but was mortally wounded in the process . With the Bloodskal Blade in his hands , Gratian died in peace , accepting his fate , hoping that whoever found his journal , would show it to his superiors and to tell his wife that he loves her . He died on the Second Seed of 4E 10 . Legacy . Unbeknownst to them , Gratian had died in his journey to Bloodskal Barrow . His wife and son were forced to stay on the Island of Solstheim and work in the land , being the only Imperials on the island . Rellicus Caerellius had become a miner in another section of the Raven Rock Mine until he was killed by the local Reaver s ; it is likely his mother died of natural causes or the frequent ash storms . Rellicus had a son , who would then have a son of his own named , Crescius Caerellius , who would become the foreman of the Raven Rock Mine . The East Empire Company gave a false story about Gratian ' s death , saying he died of a rockfall . In 4E 181 , the Ebony Mines of Raven Rock were exhausted and closed down by Lleril Morvayn , the leader of the town . Crescius had strongly believed that there was still Ebony deep within the mines and had stayed in Raven Rock , becoming one of the last Imperials to live in the town . In 4E 201 , Crescius discovered letters between Gratian and the East Empire Company , realizing that there was more to the Raven Rock Mine than meets the eye . Crescius made several attempts to explore the mine but was stopped by his wife , Aphia Velothi . And so , he tasked an estranged warrior to explore the ruins , to find the remains of Gratian and his discovery . Deep into the mines , the warrior discovered the entrance to Bloodskal Barrow and both Gratian and Millius ' remains . The traveler picked up the Bloodskal Blade and entered the ruins , defeating the Dragon Priest , Zahkriisos in the process . With the records needed , the traveler gave it to Crescius , who was able to reopen the mine , ushering in a new era of prosperity to Raven Rock .