Dust-On-Scales

Dust-On-Scales is an Argonian residing in Rockgrove.
==Interactions==
===Of Stone and Steam===
Dust-On-Scales will ask the Vestige to help clear his xanmeer of Sul-Xan invaders.
==Dialogue==
;Of Stone and Steam
At the start of the quest:
"Did you see that? His soul, drawn from his body. As if pulled by some force. My scales parch with fear from the implications. Attacks from these Sul-Xan grow like weeds across this region. But they may have greater plans here than mere savagery."
:Why do you think they attacked you? "This xanmeer stands atop powerful tides of flame and steam. These energies attract many—including, it seems, a Sul-Xan named Flame-Herald Bahsei. She plans to tap the destructive potential below to summon a creature she called, Xalvakka."
::No one is left who can fight back? "When the swarm emerged, our warriors defended us while we escaped. Two of my apprentices were among them. I expect they are all gone. You appear stiff of spine—perhaps you could purge the Sul-Xan from our land? I offer gifts if you succeed."
:::I'll drive the Sul-Xan from this xanmeer. "By my spread claws, you bring some small hope. My waters may flow yet. Go east, through the old city. Push through the Sul-Xan to reach the xanmeer. I expect Bahsei prepares her summoning at its peak. I will follow behind as you clear the way."
::::What do you know about the Sul-Xan? "They are a tribe of locusts, swarming those who live peacefully within the marsh. Sul-Xan only wish to rend scale from spine. I hear stories of sacrifices to appease the chaos. I know little more of them, as I practice caution in their presence."
:::::Who is the Flame-Herald Bahsei you mentioned? "Her name is poison fumes spread by the wind. She shows great savagery, even for Sul-Xan. Whispers say Bahsei's magic no longer comes from the Hist. She abandoned the one to revere another—Mehrunes Dagon. And so earned her title of Flame-Herald."
::::::And she led the attack on the xanmeer? "As the Sul-Xan warriors charged us from the shadows, I saw her standing among them. She raised her arms and shouted that today they would take no prisoners. We were food to bring forth Xalvakka."
::::I wish to know who you are. "Ah. I offer my abdomen in forgiveness and welcome. Events have caused me to forget my training. Calling me Dust-on-Scales will be easiest. I serve as stone-talker for the Ca-Uxith—the Silent-Nest tribe. What remains of it."
:::::How is your tribe connected to the xanmeer? "Our small village of Krona-Konu lies close by. Though I understand the dryskins refer to it as Rockgrove. Outsiders rarely visit, so I see no need to quibble. The Hist asked that we watch over this xanmeer and ensure that it stands. And so we have."
::::::Why did it ask this of you? "I do not know. And did not feel the need to ask. I sag my tail with regret knowing that now we have failed. Or perhaps this was its purpose? Nevertheless, I shall try my best to fulfill the will of the Hist."
:::::What is a stone-talker? "Hmm … how to explain? Great energies exist underground that bind our tribe's Hist and this xanmeer. At times, the flows are disturbed and erupt onto the surface. My role is to study these forces so we may better maintain the old temple."
::::You called that glowing orb his soul? "I cannot explain it, but yes. Since the moment I hatched, I have witnessed the deaths of many egg-kin. Our souls return to the chaos, dispersing into the cycle once more. For them to be removed in such a manner …. I must learn more."
In the Overgrown Thoroughfare:
"That tempest in the sky—it is surely the work of Flame-Herald Bahsei. Xalvakka's summoning has begun. You have fought well so far. But we must hurry. Head toward the swirling cloud to reach the xanmeer's entrance."
:Any thoughts on why Bahsei needed the Xanmeer? "A great power runs beneath this old city. You have seen its side-effects—the geysers erupting all around us. An acolyte of Mehrunes Dagon might channel such destructive energy to empower a ritual. I now suspect this was Bahsei's purpose."
:I saw more souls rise up when Sul-Xan killed some captives. "Deeply concerning. Somehow Flame-Herald Bahsei has managed to tear the souls from my kin. They should naturally return to the Hist. Instead she collects them for some grave purpose. We call this xul-vahat—a taboo death. It must be stopped."
After slaying Oaxiltso:
"The door ahead leads to a chamber under the xanmeer. Once inside, we can climb to the peak, where I believe Bahsei waits. Be cautious as we continue. I cannot predict what other powers these Sul-Xan possess."
:What did you mean that this behemoth was corrupted? "While I have never laid eyes on one of the Xal-Krona, I know of their kind. Great warriors, massive in size, bestowed as gifts from the Hist. They are not typically such a color. I suspect Bahsei may have … altered him somehow."
After he finds the bodies of his apprentices:
"The tempest of light we saw above the xanmeer—it grows stronger with every soul taken from my kin. Let us hope we are not too late to stop the arrival of this Xalvakka."
:What can I expect from Bahsei? "Cruelty. Cunning. And likely powers I cannot predict. Based on what we have seen, it is clear the whispers of her loyalty to Mehrunes Dagon are true. She will not yield, ojel. She must be sent back to the chaos."
:Tell me more about your apprentices. "They were each wiser than I, in different ways. Even as far from the egg as I am, I still learned much from them. Kasa-Tah valued preparation for the nests to come. She believed we were too isolated, and that knitted branches held strongest."
::And Manasha? "The role of stone-talker involves communing with spirits and beasts who reside in the old city. Manasha truly reveled in speaking to these creatures. He wallowed in it as might a hog in mud. The two of them meant a new era for Krona-Konu."
:How do you know what happened to your apprentices' souls? "I sense they are shells cracked open, just as I felt with Veeka-Gel. Their souls were not allowed to reenter the way of things. They were ripped—as if by a beast tearing flesh for a meal."
After saying Flame-Herald Bahsei:
"You have fulfilled my request. Bahsei is dead. But with bare abdomen and bowed head, I beg one more task of you. While this gate stays open, Xalvakka still threatens this land. Dispatch the creature and close this portal. Only then are we safe."
:What do you think is awaiting on the other side of the portal? "The mysteries of beyond are great. A creature capable of consuming so many souls must be enormously powerful. But I have seen your skill in action. No one is better suited for this battle. May you stay moist and nimbly dance through the flames."
After slaying Xalvakka:
"You return. I was unsure if we would ever see the hero of Rockgrove again. Yet, here you stand, triumphant. Before it closed, a flock of souls flew out from the gate. I sense they have returned to the Hist where they belong. Did you kill Xalvakka?"
:Yes, Xalvakka is dead. The threat is over. "Yes, I feel the old city settling. The raging energies grow calm. Krona-Konu—Rockgrove—is safe once again. Such a hard-shelled protector has come to our aid. The tribe extends our tails in gratitude. Please, take this as a reward."
After completing the quest:
"Those who still live have a great deal to clean up. I need to find any remaining captives, but with the Sul-Xan thwarted we should not face trouble. The Ca-Uxith shall start anew. Our Hist requested we watch this xanmeer, and this remains our task."
:What will you do next? "Rebuild, naturally. Nothing stands forever, even the great stone structures from our past. This impermanence is the truth of the world. I suppose I must train new apprentices as well. I cannot replace those I lost, but nor would I wish to."
:I spoke with the spirits of your apprentices. They showed me how to close the gate. "Then, their death served a greater purpose after all. Courageous beyond the end, those two. I erect the spine of humility as their teacher. Thank you for telling me this. Knowing they rejoin the one sets my heart at ease."
==Conversations==
;Of Stone and Steam
Before starting the quest:
Dust-On-Scales: "You can go now, root-brother. Lie back. Rejoin the one, as all things must."
Veeka-Gel: "I do not fear this, root-brother. But, I do regret …."
<Veeka-Gel dies>
Dust-On-Scales: "Xuth! His soul? What is this?"
After defeating Flame-Herald Bahsei:
Flame-Herald Bahsei: "I happily offer my soul to Xalvakka …."
<Flame-Herald Bahsei dies>
Xalvakka: "I am satiated. Now is my time! Come, bugs, meet the great Xalvakka!"
Dust-On-Scales: "Xuth! Look how Xalvakka pulls the souls of my kin through the gate. With Bahsei dead, I do not know how to close the portal. We are still at great risk. Please, you must enter the gate and end this threat."
==Quotes==
*"Some of our fallen warriors. But no sign of my apprentices among them. Look. In the sky to the south. The energies swirling above." – Upon slaying the Haj Mota
*"This beast …. A corruption of the Hist's gift. We can continue into the xanmeer. And quickly—the clouds grow darker." – Upon slaying Oaxiltso
*"Ah, Kasa-Tah. And Manasha. So you have fallen. Hmm. I fear that their souls suffered the same fate as Veeka-Gel's. You must bring an end to this. They deserve to return to the Hist." – In the final room of the xanmeer before reaching the top
*"The gate is closed and the storm has calmed. It is over. The people of Ca-Uxith honor you, savior of Krona-Konu. Come, let us speak." – After slaying Xalvakka
==Appearances==
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