The Gathering Storm (Online)

The Gathering Storm is a quest in the main questline of . The Vestige assists an agent of Jorunn the Skald-King in uncovering a plot to harm not only Skyrim, but all of Tamriel. 
==Background==
When I approached the gates of Solitude, a wounded man stumbled out, fleeing for his life. He left me a bundle of papers and told me to keep them safe before he died.
==Objectives==
#Speak to Brondold in Solitude
#Read Brondold's Papers
##Search a marked crate at the Western Skyrim Docks
##Follow the cryptic directions
##Meet Brondol's contact
#Speak to Lyris Titanborn at the Blue Palace
#Speak to Queen Gerhyld
#Question Greyga about smuggling activity in Solitude
#Search Kasalla's Warehouse
#Travel to Gorn's Lodge and investigate 
#Brief Lyris and travel to Kilkreath Temple
#Speak to Fennorian
#Examine the witch pikes around the temple
#Locate the pilgrims
#Assess the damage the harrowstorm caused
#Retrieve Fennorian's alchemical equipment
#Defeat Sister Ambritt
==Walkthrough==
When the Vestige first enters the area surrounding Solitude, they will be approached by a wounded Nord wandering around premises. Upon speaking to him, he will tell them the following:
"Ugh, there's no time. Take this. Keep it safe."
:Wait, what are you giving me? "Information. The Icereach Coven... at work in the west. Just need more proof. Go! They're coming."
::Who's coming? The ones who attacked you? "Don't trust them! Only Lyris, she's—!"
Upon which Brondold will fall to the ground and die. Before the Vestige can read the note handed to them by Brondold, however, they will be interrupted by Shield-Corporal Thjol, Shield-Corporal of the Solitude city guard. Suspicious, he will ask the Vestige if they are a spy and inquires about Brondold's conversation with them. When the Vestige tells him about the Icereach Coven and their intentions, he will reply in disbelief and suggests the Vestige doesn't stick their nose where it doesn't belong.
The Vestige can now read the note that Brondold handed to them. The note, written by an anonymous author, tells of a marked shipment of crates arriving at the Western Skyrim Docks from Sentinel. Furthermore, it contains cryptic directions to a location where they left a surprise for Brondold and instructions as to where the author will be waiting for him.
Now that the Vestige has read the information that Brondold wanted them to read, they will have to make their way to the docks in order to investigate the marked crates detailed in the note. One of the crates can be found at the northern corner of the shipyard. Upon opening the crate and its hidden compartment, the Vestige will discover that the bottom is littered with urn fragments covered in a strange ash or dust.
After this, the Vestige must make their way to the marshes south of Solitude, where the author left something for Brondold. Upon entering the ruins containing the item, they will be attacked by two spriggans. After defeating them, the Vestige can access the bag titled "Brondold's Hidden Belongings" and discover his journal. Now that the Vestige has found the marked shipment and the journal, it is time for them to meet the author of the note. They must make their way to the stables just outside of Solitude, where they will be greeted by Korvynn, brandishing a dagger. When speaking to her, she will tell them the following:
"I mean it! One step closer and I'll stick you like a horker!"
:I'm not here to hurt you. I need to talk to you about Brondold. "I don't know any Brondold. This is what I told the guards and that is what I'm telling you. I don't want any more trouble. You make me stab you and it's your word against mine!"
::Brondold's dead. He left me with a handful of papers and a lot of questions. "Dead? Stuhn's mercy! And I'm next, aren't I? I promise, I don't know anything! I won't make any trouble. I'll disappear. I don't even like it here. You'll never see me again!"
:::I didn't kill Brondold. Just tell me what this is all about. "He—he did not tell me a lot. Said he was tracking some bad people. Asked me to keep an eye out for any unusual comings and goings. He'd come by now and then with a sweetroll and a few coins for my trouble. He was … nice."
::::And did you see anything out of the ordinary? "The last time we spoke. It was about the men with the job postings. A pair of wolves in sheep's clothing. Trying to blend in, but still rough around the edges. Same with their horses. Sheared mountain mares. Come from the Reach, I wager."
It appears Brondold was investigating Icereach Coven activity on behalf of Lyris Titanborn, an agent of Jorunn the Skald-King, after which he was supposed to deliver his findings to the Blue Palace. The Vestige must travel to the Blue Palace and meet with Lyris Titanborn in order to deliver his belongings and inform her of his fate. When spoken to, she will tell the Vestige the following:
:Brondold isn't coming. He's dead. "He's what? Dammit. Queen Gerhyld will be here at any moment. Look, her highness is expecting to talk to me and my contact. I need you to pretend to be that contact or this will go very badly."
::What's this all about? "We can exchange intimate details of our lives later. Right now, just know that the safety of all of Skyrim—maybe even all of Tamriel—depends on how this meeting goes. So follow my lead and be on your best behavior with her highness."
The conversation will be interrupted by Queen Gerhyld, wife of High King Svargrim. Upon speaking to her, she will say the following:
"I am Gerhyld, Queen of Skyrim. Allow me to welcome you on behalf of our kingdom, our city, and our hold. Who might you be?"
:<player name>, your majesty. "The letter that preceded your arrival said an attempt was made on the Skald-King's life. It indicated that High King Svargrim would be next. My husband took that as an accusation and a threat. He will not meet with you, but I will hear you out."
::I've witnesses some concerning things since I arrived here, your majesty. "Have you anything that would persuade my husband? It will take some substantial evidence to convince High King Svargrim to heed the words of the hated Jorunn the Skald-King."
:::There's evidence of Reachmen activity around Solitude. "Reachmen transgressions will not be enough for Svargrim to accept outside help. He's a prideful man and the bad blood between him and Jorunn runs deep. I will speak on your behalf, but you and Lyris will need to bring me proof he cannot ignore."
::::We'll find that proof, your majesty. "Thank you for alerting me to this situation. I am eager to see what else you uncover. I will do what I can, but be as discreet as possible. If you run afoul of my husband, he won't hesitate to return you to Jorunn—and not necessarily in one piece."
While the queen believes the Vestige, she thinks Lyris and them will have to gather more proof before her husband will believe an envoy from Jorunn the Skald-King. The Vestige must now speak to Lyris and inform her of Brondold's fate. After handing over his possessions, Lyris will ask the Vestige if they will help her investigate this matter as she is short a good investigator. Because Brondold mentioned some locals who may have information in his earlier contact with Lyris, she proposes to go see them.
The first local is Greyga, a local snitch. She can be found in a back alley of Solitude, gambling with Birjhan and Carmara. When speaking to her, she will react disinterested and hostile. After pressing her for information on Brondold, the Vestige has a chance to persuade her or let Lyris do the talking. She will inform them of a local smuggler, Kasalla, who has a warehouse on the Western Skyrim Docks and handles all smuggling in Solitude.
Now that Greyga has given the information, Lyris and the Vestige will have to go to The Lonely Troll to talk to Maugh. Once there, Lyris will approach the intoxicated Maugh and press him for information. However, she is interrupted by Svana, the daughter of Queen Gerhyld and princess of Western Skyrim. When spoken to, she will tell the Vestige the following:
"Who gave you the right to walk in here and bully my friend? Did my father send you?"
:Why would your father send someone to bully Maugh? "Because he doesn't like Maugh. But I like Maugh. Maugh doesn't care that I'm a princess, and it doesn't matter to me that Maugh's a scoundrel. If my father didn't send you, why are you threatening my friend?"
::We wanted to ask if he saw the people putting up the job postings. "Smelly bastards. Cheap, too. Wouldn't buy us a drink! They hung their fliers and left without saying a word. Then a different smelly bastard showed up to sign on workers. He was a charmer, though!"
:::You remember anything else about this charmer? "His breeches fit well! And he was handsome. Not a Nord. Breton, maybe? I didn't really listen to what he was saying. A half-dozen workers left with him, off to the Druadach Mountains or someplace. He hasn't been back since."
Now that the Vestige has learned of the smuggler accepted by Kasalla and the mysterious Breton encountered by Svana, they will have to speak to Lyris and go over their plan of action. She proposes they deal with the smuggler first, and directs the Vestige towards Kasalla's Warehouse on the Western Skyrim docks. There, they will be stopped by Kasalla's sentry, Huzodir, who informs them he will be happy to keep Lyris company once Kasalla has returned from her business. As Kasalla doesn't allow visitors while she isn't present, Huzodir will not let the Vestige pass. However, using Lyris' fame and renown, they can convince Huzodir to fetch his scabbard for an autograph from Lyris.
After picking the lock and having gained access to Kasalla's warehouse, the Vestige must search it for more of the marked crates Korvynn mentioned in her note to Brondold. Once the Vestige has gathered the ritualistic contents of all 3 crates, Kasalla will enter the building with her bodyguards. She will tell the Vestige the following:
"I had a feeling it wasn't just an opportunistic thief trying to steal my cargo. What are you after?"
:Proof of a plot against the high king. Care to explain what's in these crates? "A plot against the high king? Involving plundered antiquities from Hammerfell? Preposterous! I'm simply facilitating a transaction between treasure hunters and a rich collector. So, who am I paying the bribe to? You or the high king?"
::What about these Reach fetishes? "Give me that. Tribal crafts, my arse! I told that son of a skeever I don't deal in arcane goods. Especially ones from the Reach! Nothing but sorrow comes from such business. This isn't cursed, is it?"
:::Who hired you to smuggle this? "No name, just instructions and gold. Shipments come in, I make sure no one looks too closely, and wait for a pick up. Never see the same face twice. Last time it was a smooth-talking Breton with Nord laborers in tow. You want more, I need assurances."
::::I'm sure we can work something out. "They're taking the cargo to an abandoned lodge in the foothills north of Solitude. Occasionally used it myself when the city guard was being thorough. Want to catch them? Start there. If that's all, we're leaving. I'm not losing my head over this."
:::::Can you tell me anything else about the Breton and the laborers? "The Breton was sly. Handsome even. Thought he could charm me into taking on additional shipments. Now that I know what's involved, the trouble isn't worth it.The Nords were locals. Hired hands from the Lonely Troll."
::::::You never check your cargo? "I'm paid not to ask too many questions. This arrangement was a lucrative one. I trusted them, but it seems they took advantage of my natural greed. That won't happen again."
The unnamed collector that Kasalla describes matches the description Svana gave. After discussing it with Lyris, she instructs the Vestige to search the lodge Kasalla said the collector took the crates to. She will circle around from the opposite direction in case the collector is already on the move. Once the Vestige has made their way to the lodge up in the mountain ridge north of Solitude, they will immediately be attacked by Pentarch Zaros; the collector. After disposing of the vampire, the Vestige must investigate the lodge and search for clues. Once inside, they will find a scribbled letter on a desk in the corner lodge. The letter is addressed to Pentarch, and the author instructs him to send the latest shipment to Kilkreath Temple.
Having learned of the location of the shipment, the Vestige must now return to Lyris to brief her of what they have learned:
"All I found were these Reachmen stalking the pass. Decided they'd rather die than talk, so I obliged. They don't look like they're from Icereach, but they are wearing the coven's medallions. Anyway, did you find the lodge?"
:The lodge was empty, but I found a letter for the Breton. Orders to send the shipment to Kilkreath. "Kilkreath? The temple to Meridia? Why would the Icereach Coven target a local Daedra cult?"
::The letter said they were ready to start the ritual as soon as they received the shipment. "Damn. We're running out of time. I'll head back to Solitude and try again to warn High King Svargrim. You go to Kilkreath Temple and alert Meridia's priests. I'll meet you there as soon as I can."
:::Warn the priests? Shouldn't I attempt to stop the ritual? "You'll be going up against the coven by yourself. Warn the priests. If there's an opportunity to safely stop or delay the ritual, by all means. But don't take any unnecessary chances. I still don't want to lose another partner. Good luck."
While Lyris head to Solitude to warn the High King, the Vestige will now have to travel to Kilkreath Temple to try and warn the priests there of what is to come. Once the Vestige arrives there, they will be stopped by Fennorian, who requests to speak to them:
"Don't be alarmed. I mean you no harm, but there are harrowfiends swarming around Kilkreath Temple who do. Head back to safety before they find you!"
:I was sent to warn the temple priests. "I'm sorry, but you're too late. An unnatural storm struck the temple and now the entire area is overrun by vampires and harrowfiends."
::What are harrowfiends? And for that matter, who are you? "Harrowfiends are feral vampires, a byproduct of the unnatural harrowstorm. As for me, I am Fennorian of House Ravenwatch. I came here on the trail of remains stolen from a mass grave in Bangkorai. They were shipped to Solitude in ancient urns."
::::I found urns in crates smuggled into Solitude. They seem to be related to the Icereach Coven. "Yes, I've run into the coven as well. The urns and the stolen remains play a part in a ritual to summon the storms. If you're willing, I could use your assistance. I need to finish my investigation of the site to see what else I can learn."
:::::What do you need me to do? "I could use your help to examine the strange pikes erected around the temple. Harrowfiends and vampires roam the area, making it difficult to get close, hence the need for your assistance. You see, I'm not that confident in my combat prowess."
The Vestige must now examine the witch pikes erected in the areas surrounding the temple with Fennorian. Defeating the vampiric creatures guarding them and examining the strange objects will lead them to discover they are covered with an alchemic residue. Fennorian will explain the witch pikes expended significant power, and are used to summon a harrowstorm. The pikes play a significant role as focal points for the ritual and Fennorian was able to sense a lingering energy; including a Daedric one. Fennorian wants to take a closer look at the residue found on the pikes, but he notifies the Vestige of a band of pilgrims leading a cart away from the temple right before the storm hit that he wants to find first. Taking the road south of the temple will lead the Vestige to a pair of dazedly wandering pilgrims, seemingly drained of all life energy. In the back of their cart, however, is a crate filled with dust and ashes; a sign that they were transporting the ritualistic urns before the storm hit them.
Fennorian speculates the pilgrims were perhaps unknowingly transporting the artifacts, as it played a significant role in the harrowstorm that impacted them. Together, they must now travel back to the temple grounds and enter the ruins to observe the target area of the storm.
Once the Vestige and Fennorian have reached the statue of Meridia, they must turn right towards the platform. After defeating the vampires there, they will stumble upon a mass of corpses spread on the platform; the storm has taken a heavy toll on the temple's inhabitants.
Speaking to Fennorian about the massacre will lead them to say the following:
"I'll need to perform more tests, but from what we've seen I believe the storm affects mortals in three distinct ways. It kills them, transforms them into harrowfiends, or leaves them mindless. I suppose I'd say it harrowed those poor pilgrims."
:So what do we do next? "I want to learn more about the ritual and how it produces the harrowstorms. And I need to confirm my theories about the storm's effects. I'll start by examining the residue from the witch pike to identify the components used to power the ritual."
::What do you need to examine the residue? "My alchemical equipment. It's extremely fragile, so I left it in my pack. I hid it among a copse of trees once I saw all the vampires and harrowfiends. Once I retrieve it, I can find a place to begin my analysis."
After fighting their way through the harrowfiends and vampiric sabre cats, the Vestige and Fennorian will eventually locate Fennorian's alchemical equipment. Once there, they will be confronted by Lyris, who is hostile towards the Vestige's new vampire companion. Upon speaking with her, it becomes apparent she was under the impression Fennarion was about to harm the Vestige. Once the Vestige explains Fennorian's standing, she calms her nerves and informs the Vestige she spotted a coven witch not too far from where they are who calls herself Sister Ambritt. She urges the Vestige to make their way to the cliff overlooking the temple, where the witch was last located.
When the Vestige and Lyris arrive at the cliff, Sister Ambritt can be heard commentating on her recent ritual, saying: "Not even harrowed? It seems the ritual needs refinement." She will subsequently teleport to the temple grounds and summon two death hounds that will assist her in battle. In combat, Sister Ambritt uses a combination of frost attacks, ranged attacks with her bow, leaping attacks and summoning death hounds.
After defeating the coven witch, Fennorian remarks he found something nearby. When spoken to about his findings, he will say the following:
"Do you see? These are the same as the urns smuggled from Bangkorai. They didn't just shatter, they exploded. I can sense traces of magicka clinging to the shards that match the energy used in the storm ritual. These other fragments though …."
:Other fragments? "All this rubble scattered around didn't just come from these urns. The texture and patterns are different. They appear to have used the funerary dust in the urns to summon the harrowstorms, but I'm not sure what was inside the larger vessels."
::Larger vessels? "Look at the shape of the fragments. They come from a hollow receptacle of some sort, something at least as tall as you. Perhaps larger. Just another piece of the puzzle. Maybe when I analyze the witch pike residue, an answer will suggest itself."
:::Come to Solitude with us. There must be a place there where you can set up your equipment. "Thank you, but no. I try to avoid large population centers. The temptation, you understand. I'll find someplace nearby but out of the way where I can set up my equipment and work undisturbed. I'll send word when I have something to report."
::::Do you have a location in mind "I met a clever woman who lives in the bog near Morthal. Old Mjolen's a dying breed among the Nords, a practitioner of the old magic. The locals both admire and fear her. If anyone can help me untangle the coven's ritual, it's her."
The Vestige must now discuss Fennorian's findings with Lyris in order to find out if she thinks they have gathered enough evidence to convince High King Svargrim. After telling her Fennorian believes the harrowstorm creates the harrowfiends and the harrowed, she will reward them with what was originally Brondold's reward and the quest will be completed.
==Reward==
*
*73–302 
==Journal==
Journal Entry
I need to meet with Jorunn the Skald-King's agent in Solitude, the capital of Western Skyrim's Haafingar Hold. The agent is investigating a potential threat to not only Skyrim, but to all of Tamriel. I should go to Solitude and look for the Skald-King's agent.
*Objective: Go to Solitude
A Solitude soldier arrived. He demanded that I tell him what Brondold said to me. I should talk to him.
*Objective: Talk to Shield-Corporal Thjorn
I should examine the papers Brondold gave me. Hopefully, they'll tell me what he was involved in.
*Objective: Take Brondold's Note
I learned that Brondold was supposed to meet someone at the stables outside town, that he noticed suspiciously marked crates at the docks, and that he left cryptic directions to somewhere. I need to investigate further to learn what all this means.
*Objective: Meet Brondold's ContactSearch a Marked CrateFollow the Cryptic Directions
Brondold was investigating Icereach Coven activity on behalf of Lyris Titanborn. He was supposed to bring her his evidence at the Blue Palace in Solitude, but he never made it. I should look for Lyris at the palace and deliver Brondold's findings.
*Objective: Talk to Lyris Titanborn
I informed Lyris of Brondold's death just as Queen Gerhyld arrived. Lyris asked me to take Brondold's place and introduce myself to the queen.
*Objective: Talk to Queen Gerhyld
I informed the queen about what I learned from Brondold's documents. While she seems to believe us, she thinks we need more proof before High King Svargrim will trust an envoy from Jorunn the Skald-King. Now I should talk to Lyris.
*Objective: Talk to Lyris Titanborn
Lyris suggested we follow Brondold's leads. I need to search the back alleys for Greyga, a local snitch, and ask about the smugglers. Then I need to go to the Lonely Troll and ask Maugh if he knows what the Reachmen were up to.
*Objective: Search the Back AlleysGo to the Lonely Troll
We learned that the smuggler Kasalla accepted smuggled goods at the docks and that a Breton working with Reachmen recruited half a dozen Nord laborers. I should talk to Lyris about which lead she wants to follow up on first.
*Objective: Talk to Lyris Titanborn
Lyris suggested we pay a visit to Kasalla's warehouse at the docks below Solitude and see what she's been smuggling into the city before we check on our other lead.
*Objective: Enter Kasalla's Warehouse
A lone sentry guards Kasalla's warehouse. I should speak to him and see if I can convince him to let us into the warehouse.
*Objective: Talk to Huzodir
The sentry recognized Lyris. Turns out he's a huge admirer. He ran off to get an item for her to autograph. With him gone, I can pick the warehouse lock at my leisure.
*Objective: Pick the Warehouse Door Lock
Kasalla's warehouse contains marked crates like the one I encountered on the docks. I should search these crates and see what's inside.
*Objective: Search the Marked Crates: 0/3
I recovered some strange urns and Reach fetishes from the marked crates, but Kasalla has arrived. She seems willing to talk things out. I should speak with her.
*Objective: Talk to Kasalla
Kasalla smuggled the urns for an unnamed collector, but took on additional shipments recently that contained arcane materials. She mentioned that a Breton came by and took some of the crates to an abandoned lodge. I should discuss this with Lyris.
*Objective: Talk to Lyris Titanborn
Lyris wants me to go check out the abandoned lodge in the foothills north of the city. She's going to circle around and meet me there.
*Objective: Find the Abandoned Lodge
I arrived at the remote lodge. I should look around for clues.
*Objective: Investigate the Abandoned Lodge
The laborers and the shipment from Kasalla's warehouse weren't at the lodge, but I found a letter ordering the Breton to send ""the shipment"" on to Kilkreath Temple. I need to find Lyris and let her know.
*Objective: Find Lyris Titanborn
I met Lyris on the road not far from the lodge. I should speak to her about what I learned.
*Objective: Talk to Lyris Titanborn
While Lyris heads to Solitude to try again to warn High King Svargrim, I need to go to Kilkreath Temple.
*Objective: Follow the Road to Kilkreath Temple
I was stopped by Fennorian on my way to Kilkreath Temple. I should talk to him.
*Objective:Talk to Fennorian
Fennorian asked me to help him examine the strange witch pikes erected around the perimeter of the temple.
*Objective: Examine Witch Pikes:0/3
We examined the witch pikes set up around the perimeter of the temple. I should talk to Fennorian and discuss what we learned.
*Objective: Talk to Fennorian
Fennorian spotted pilgrims leading a cart away from the temple before the storm struck. He wants to check that there were no members of the coven hiding among the pilgrims.
*Objective: Find the Pilgrims
We caught up to the cart, but the pilgrims are unresponsive. I should search their crate and see if they were transporting any of the smuggled funerary urns.
*Objective: Investigate the Crate
The crate was empty except for remnants of dust and ash, but it bore the same mark as the smuggled crates in Solitude. I should tell Fennorian what I found.
*Objective: Talk to Fennorian
Now it's time to head to Kilkreath Temple and see what additional damage the harrowstorm caused.
*Objective: Investigate the Kilkreath Temple
We found more dead priests and pilgrims near the entrance to Kilkreath Temple. I should talk to Fennorian and find out what he thinks happened here.
*Objective: Talk to Fennorian
We need to retrieve Fennorian's alchemical equipment, which he hid within a nearby copse of trees.
*Objective: Retrieve Fennorian's Equipment
Lyris caught up with us but thinks Fennorian is a threat. I should talk to her and introduce her to the House Ravenwatch agent.
*Objective: Talk to Lyris Titanborn
Lyris spotted an Icereach Coven witch called Sister Ambritt on the cliffs overlooking the temple. We need to get up there and catch her before she disappears.
*Objective: Find Sister Ambritt
We found the Icereach Coven witch. We need to kill Sister Ambritt before she can summon another harrowstorm.
*Objective: Kill Sister Ambritt
We defeated the coven witch but Fennorian found something. I should follow him and see what he discovered.
*Objective: Follow Fennorian
Fennorian led me to an altar of some sort. I should ask him what he found.
*Objective: Talk to Fennorian
Fennorian and I learned a lot here at the Kilkreath Temple. I should talk to Lyris and see if she thinks we have enough to take to the queen so she can convince High King Svargrim now.
*Quest complete
==Gallery==
Gorn's Lodge.png|The abandoned lodge.
The Gathering Storm 18.png|The dazed pilgrims.
==Appearances==
*
Category:Greymoor: Main Quests