Martin Septim (Oblivion)

Emperor Martin Septim, also known as Brother Martin or simply Martin, is the illegitimate son of Emperor Uriel Septim VII, and is the last Emperor and member of the Septim Dynasty.
==Interactions==
===Find the Heir===
Find Martin, Uriel Septim VII's last heir, in the Chapel of Akatosh in Kvatch.
===Breaking the Siege of Kvatch===
Assist in defeating the Daedra invading Kvatch, so that Martin will agree to come with the Hero to the Weynon Priory.
===Weynon Priory===
Escort Martin back to the Weynon Priory, and protect Jauffre from the attacking Mythic Dawn agents. Meet them at Cloud Ruler Temple.
===Dagon Shrine===
Go to Lake Arrius Caverns, infiltrate the Mythic Dawn and take the Mysterium Xarxes. Return it to Martin.
===Spies===
Captain Steffan has noticed a group of Mythic Dawn Agents spying on Cloud Ruler Temple, and sends the Hero to eliminate them before they become a threat to Martin. After killing Jearl in her house and reading Jearl's Orders, the Hero must kill the other spies near the rune stone southeast of Bruma.
===Blood of the Daedra===
Locate a Daedric artifact for Martin to destroy, so that the Hero can gain access to Paradise.
===Blood of the Divines===
Retrieve the Armor of Tiber Septim from Sancre Tor and bring it to Martin, in order for him to extract the original Septim Emperor's blood.
===Miscarcand===
Retrieve a great welkynd stone, the third ingredient Martin requires, from Miscarcand.
===Defense of Bruma===
After Martin and Jauffre are finished speaking, escort them and Baurus to the Great Chapel of Talos in Bruma. After the Oblivion Gates open, make sure to keep Martin alive until the Hero can enter the Great Gate. If Martin dies, the main questline cannot be completed.
===Great Gate===
Mehrunes Dagon has opened three lesser gates outside Bruma and is opening a Great Gate, like the one that destroyed Kvatch. The Hero must stop the Daedric siege crawler from exiting the gate.
===Paradise===
All four of the necessary items have been collected, and Martin opens the gate to Mankar Camoran's Paradise, Gaiar Alata.
===Light the Dragonfires===
After escorting Martin to the Temple of the One, Mehrunes Dagon will invade the Imperial City. Due to the crisis threatening all of Tamriel and Nirn, Martin bids the Hero farewell before smashing the Amulet of Kings. An avatar of Akatosh appears and fuses with Martin, which then battles Mehrunes Dagon firsthand.
==History==
===Early life===
Martin was born an illegitimate child to Uriel Septim VII and an unknown mistress. Uriel could not raise the child, and trusted Jauffre with spiriting him away as an infant. Uriel still asked Jauffre for updates on Martin's whereabouts, but never met with the boy anytime after he was given up. Martin was unaware of any of this for most of his life.
In his youth, he grew up believing that his father was a farmer and his mother had died giving birth to him. Early on in his life, he discovered the seductiveness of Daedric magic, practicing it and using it on a daily basis. Martin joined the Daedric Cult of Sanguine. During that time, Martin briefly came into possession of the Sanguine Rose.
Martin notes that he and his friends got in over their heads and some of his friends died in a disastrous accident. Later, a priest managed to convert Martin to the worship of the Nine Divines. He became a priest at the Chapel of Akatosh in Kvatch.
===Oblivion Crisis===
Following the death of his father and half-brothers by Mythic Dawn assassins, Martin is the only remaining Septim. Unaware that he is the sole remaining heir to the Septim throne, Martin is sought out by the Hero of Kvatch. Upon being found and informed of his true heritage, he helps to end the Daedra invasion of the mortal world.
Soon after Martin's discovery, the Amulet of Kings is stolen by members of the Mythic Dawn, a Daedra cult based within Cyrodiil, who were also responsible for the invasion. To safeguard Martin, Jauffre, grandmaster of the Blades, takes him to the fortress of the Blades, known as Cloud Ruler Temple, where he also offers to make the Hero of Kvatch a member of the Blades.
A failed attempt by the Hero to recover the Amulet of Kings from Mankar Camoran yields the Mysterium Xarxes, the holy book of the Mythic Dawn cult and a tome of massive dark power. However, it is slow, painstaking work, taking much research.
Eventually, Martin determines that the book could be used to open a portal to Camoran's Paradise and that four other items are needed to do this. These include any Daedric artifact, the blood of one of the Nine Divines (obtained from the armor of Tiber Septim, in which he had fought and bled before his Apotheosis), a great welkynd stone, and a great sigil stone.
The Hero obtains the first three objects on his own but the last may be obtained only by allowing the Mythic Dawn to open a Great Gate (which requires three minor Oblivion gates to open) outside of Bruma. This could potentially cause the destruction of Bruma. Martin dons the armor of Tiber Septim and leads a Defense of Bruma, deliberately allowing the opening of the gate and buying the Hero time to secure the stone.
The four objects in hand, Martin binds himself temporarily to the Xarxes and opens a portal to Paradise. The Hero of Kvatch enters, kills Camoran, and returns with the Amulet of Kings, presenting it to Martin.
During this raid, Martin sends the Blade Baurus to the Imperial Palace to formally present his claim to the throne to Chancellor Ocato of Firsthold, who, with the Elder Council, considers and accepts the claim.
Arriving at the Imperial Palace with the Hero and Jauffre, Martin is about to be formally recognized as Emperor by Ocato when a massive Daedric invasion erupts within the Imperial City. Martin, Ocato, the Hero, the Blades, and numerous Imperial Guards fight their way to the Temple of the One District to relight the Dragonfires.
However, they are too late; Mehrunes Dagon himself has entered Tamriel. Lighting the Dragonfires is pointless, as they had merely maintained the barriers between Mundus and Oblivion.
A despairing Martin turns to the Hero and a brief conversation ensues, during which the Hero asks, "What about the Amulet of Kings?" Martin is inspired by the question and orders the champion to lead him to the Temple.
Upon their arrival, the Hero and Martin bid each other farewell. Martin then shatters the Amulet of Kings, binding his blood with that of the kings and gods held within the central gem of the amulet, in order to become the avatar of Akatosh; he takes the form of a giant dragon wreathed in flame. Dagon smashes the Temple Dome as Martin transforms. The Dragon then destroys Mehrunes Dagon's physical body, banishing him back to the Wastes of Oblivion, but not without sustaining a mortal wound itself. After the fight ends, the Dragon arches its neck, roars into the sky and is petrified, becoming a statue.
Soon after this event, Ocato of Firsthold states that Martin would be remembered as the last and greatest Septim, and goes on to say that Martin would have been a great Emperor. As Martin died childless, like all of his brothers, the Line of the Septims is completely defunct. The nature of Martin's sacrifice ensures that an Emperor is no longer necessary to maintain the barriers between the worlds; however, the fate of Martin himself remains unknown.
With Martin dead and the Septim line ended, the Third Era ends but a new one dawns. As the Septims were the Dragonborn line of Emperors, the ending of this bloodline fulfills the prophecy of the Elder Scrolls that foretells the return of Alduin, and the coming of the Last Dragonborn which continues in the events of .
==Personality and characteristics==
Martin was humble, softly spoken and compassionate. Although at first he appeared to be somewhat slightly meek, or at least not someone one would usually pay attention to, Martin possessed a strong will and steely resolve. Although (understandably) untrusting of the Hero at first, he soon warms up, and proves to be warm and courteous, while making an effort to treat everyone equally, even as his claim as Emperor becomes stronger and his position more stable throughout the events of the story.
Martin also possesses a very strong mind, and is exceptionally intelligent; he reads almost constantly when he can, and manages to open a portal to Paradise where others could not. Furthermore, Martin is extremely brave; he does not hesitate to bind himself to the portal to Paradise, and leads the Defense of Bruma with little to no hesitation, despite the fact he has never fought a battle before.
Perhaps Martin's greatest weakness is his insecurity. It plagues him during the game, the idea that he might not be good enough, undermining his work, and his past haunts him, adding to the slightly cold, reserved air he occasionally keeps around himself as protection. But Martin also possesses wisdom to learn from his mistakes, and ensure they do not happen again. Finally, Martin has superb combat abilities. He can wield impressive magic, and on several occasions demonstrates a natural proficiency with a dagger and a sword, no doubt a trait passed down from Tiber Septim himself, and somewhat prominent in the Septim bloodline.
==Dialogue==
Show: Find the Heir
In the Chapel of Akatosh:
"Have you brought help? We've been trapped here since the Daedra overran the city."
:Come with me. You're in danger. "Of course I'm in danger. But I'm needed here. I can't leave. I assume you didn't risk your own life to come here to tell me something I already know. Who are you and what do you want?"
:The Emperor told me to find you. "The Emperor is dead. Who are you? What do you really want with me?"
::You're Martin, right? The priest? "Yes. I'm a priest. Do you need a priest? I don't think I'll be much help to you. I'm having trouble understanding the gods right now. If all this is part of a divine plan, I'm not sure I want to have anything to do with it."
:::There is a plan. We're part of it. "What plan? What are you talking about? I prayed to Akatosh on that terrible night, but no help came. Only more daedra. What can you possibly know that would help me make sense of this?"
:::Gods or not, we need your help. "If you came to me for help, you're more of a fool than you look. Look around. What good is a priest?"
::::You are Uriel Septim's son. "Emperor Uriel Septim? You think the emperor is my father? No, you must have the wrong man. I am a priest of Akatosh. My father was a farmer."
:::::The daedra came here looking for you. "An entire city destroyed to get at me? Why? ... Because I'm the emperor's son?"
:::::The Emperor knew you were in danger. "You spoke to the Emperor before he died? And he told you to find me?"
::::::Why would I lie to you? "I don't know. It's strange... I think you might actually be telling the truth. What does this mean? What do you want from me?"
:::::::Come with me to Weynon Priory. "No. I'm sorry, but even if what you say is true, I won't abandon these people to their fate. I'll go with you when we can all leave together."
If approached again:
"It isn't that I don't believe you. But I won't go with you until I know everyone can leave here safely. We've been through too much together already for me to just abandon them to their fate."
After liberating Kvatch:
"I wondered if you'd come back. I admit, I've had my doubts about your story."
:Come with me to Weynon Priory. "You destroyed the Oblivion Gate, they say. You gave them hope. You helped them drive the daedra back. Yes. I'll come with you to Weynon Priory and hear what Jauffre has to say. Lead on."
If approached again:
"Unless you need something, let's continue on to Weynon Priory."
:Follow me. "To Weynon Priory, then."
:Wait here. "I've put myself in your hands. Don't fail me."
At Weynon Priory:
"Do you think there are any more of those assassins about?"
:Follow me. "I'm with you."
:Wait here. "I'll keep an eye out for trouble while you're gone."
After it is decided to go to Cloud Ruler Temple:
"Let's continue on to Cloud Ruler Temple. I haven't had a good night's sleep since Kvatch was attacked."
:Follow me. "The sooner we reach Cloud Ruler Temple the better. Lead on."
:Wait here. "I was looking forward to reach Cloud Ruler Temple. Don't be long."
After Martin's speech:
"Not much of a speech, was it? Didn't seem to bother them, though. The Blades saluting me and hailing me as Martin Septim... I don't mean to sound ungrateful. I know I would be dead by now if it weren't for you. Thank you. But everyone suddenly expects me to know what to do. How to behave. They want an Emperor to tell them what to do. And I haven't the faintest idea..."
:We need to get the Amulet back. "Of course. The Amulet of Kings. So we... I... can take it to the Temple of the One and light the Dragonfires. And stop the Oblivion invasion."
::And you will be the Emperor. "The Emperor... that's an idea that will take some getting used to. In any case, we need the Amulet first. Maybe Jauffre will know where to start."
:::Amulet of Kings "All practitioners of daedric magic are familiar with the almost impenetrable barrier between our world and Oblivion. What the Emperor told you implies that the Amulet is the key to the preservation of that barrier. What I saw at Kvatch... everything I know about daedric magic says that such stable portals are impossible. Yet those gates to Oblivion existed. The old rules no longer apply. Kvatch is only the beginning of what Mehrunes Dagon will do. If the Amulet is truly the key to restoring the barriers between our world and Oblivion, you must waste no time in recovering it."
::::Daedric magic "I haven't always been a priest. In my youth, I followed a different path. I know more than I want about the seductive power of daedric magic. Let's just leave it at that."
:::Oblivion Gate "Something has changed to make these stable portals to Oblivion possible. Jauffre believes that the death of the Emperor and the darkening of the Dragonfires is the key."
"Don't worry about me, my friend. I know I'm in good hands here."
Show: The Path of Dawn
Inside Cloud Ruler Temple:
Mysterium Xarxes "I don't know much about it. The "Commentaries on the Mysterium Xarxes" are the only source we have for its existence. The author of the "Commentaries" claims the Xarxes was written by Mehrunes Dagon himself, but no one else has ever seen it."
Show: Dagon Shrine
Inside Cloud Ruler Temple:
"Ah, you're back. I told Jauffre not to worry. ... I can see you have bad news. You didn't recover the Amulet, did you?"
:No. But I have the Mysterium Xarxes. "By the Nine! Such a thing is dangerous even to handle! Forgive me. You were right to bring it. But you'd better give it to me. I know some ways to protect myself from its evil power."
::Can the Xarxes lead us to Camoran? "I don't know. Maybe. I suspect that the secret of how to open a portal to Camoran's Paradise lies within these pages. But I will need time. Tampering with dark secrets, even just reading them, can be very dangerous. I'll have to proceed carefully. In the meantime, you should speak to Jauffre. He was concerned about reports of spies in Bruma."
:::Daedric magic "I put aside the dark arts when I became a priest. But the workings of fate may be seen in this, too. 'The gods can turn anything to good', or so I piously told those who came to see me for advice. Perhaps I may yet come to believe it myself."
:::Mysterium Xarxes "This evil book was written by Mehrunes Dagon himself, and given by him to Mankar Camoran. I believe Mankar Camoran used it to create his Paradise. It should give us the means to open a gate there ourselves. I will continue studying it."
:::Oblivion Gate "It is now clear to me that the only way to stop the Oblivion invasion is to relight the Dragonfires. Emperor, Amulet, and Dragonfire--with these divine gifts, the daedra of Oblivion have been kept at bay for thousands of years. While the Dragonfires burned, the divine barriers kept the daedra from making more than fleeting visits to our world. But the Dragonfires can only be relit by an heir of the Septim blood wielding the Amulet of Kings. This was the essence of Mankar Camoran's pot. He was undone only by the merest... chance... but his complete victory remains perilously close. We must recover the Amulet of Kings and relight the Dragonfires, before it is too late to stem Dagon's invasion."
"I hope to have at least part of the Mysterium Xarxes translated in a few days. Speak to Jauffre about those spies in the meantime."
Show: Spies
Inside Cloud Ruler Temple:
"I've made some progress on the Mysterium Xarxes. I think I've identified the section that deals with opening a portal to Camoran's Paradise."
:Mysterium Xarxes "I've learned that the Mysterium Xarxes is both the gate and the key to Camoran's Paradise. In some sense, the book IS Camoran's Paradise. Mankar Camoran bound himself to the Xarxes when he created his Paradise, using dark rituals which I will not speak of further. A gate can be opened from the outside, however. It will be more difficult, as I will have to temporarily bind myself to the book. But I believe it can be done. I will continue working to decipher the arcane items needed for the binding ritual."
"Farewell, my friend."
When approached again:
"I'm still studying the Mysterium Xarxes. Its corrupting power is terrible."
Show: Blood of the Daedra
Inside Cloud Ruler Temple:
"I've deciphered part of the ritual needed to open a portal to Camoran's Paradise. The Xarxes mentions four items needed for the ritual, but so far I have only deciphered one of them: the 'blood of a Daedra Lord'. In fact, daedric artifacts are known to be formed from the essence of a Daedric Lord, from whence they derive their great power. Not an easy thing to come by, obviously, but we will need a daedric artifact. Bring it to me when you have acquired one."
:Daedric Artifact "The only way to obtain a daedric artifact is through the cults devoted to each of the Daedric Lords. The book "Modern Heretics" is the best introduction to daedric cults. The library here has a copy if you need it. Remember, the Mysterium Xarxes ritual will consume the physical form of the artifact in order to release its daedric power."
"I think I'm close to deciphering more of the ritual. I hope to have made some progress by the time you return with a deadric artifact."
When approached again:
"The next section of the Mysterium Xarxes is very difficult. I haven't deciphered the rest of the ritual yet. I hope you are making better progress."
After obtaining an artifact:
"I'm still working on the second item needed for the gate-opening ritual. I believe I'm close to deciphering the relevant passage."
:Daedric Artifact "I won't ask what you went through to obtain this, my friend. I know all too well the depravity of the princes of Oblivion. Are you ready to give me the artifact? Remember, the ritual will consume its physical form. It won't be seen on Tamriel for many years."
::I'm not ready to give one yet. "As you wish. My preparations for the ritual will be different, depending on the artifact we use, so I'll need it as soon as possible."
::Give Azura's Star. "Ah, Azura's Star .. as beautiful as all the tales tell."
::Give Goldbrand. "This blade has slain many a hero over the years. Tamriel will be better off without it for a while."
::Give the Masque of Clavicus Vile. "Ah, the Masque of Clavicus Vile. You are wise not to let yourself get further enmeshed in his plots."
::Give the Savior's Hide. "There is no disguising the bestial nature of some of the daedric Princes."
::Give Volendrung. "Who now knows the tale of how this Dwemer hammer came to embody the power of one of their most bitter foes?"
::Give the Ring of Khajiiti. "Thieves everywhere will curse us both for the loss of this ring, my friend. So be it."
::Give the Mace of Molag Bal. "A fearsome weapon, and steeped in the ancient evil of its master. May its deadly power turn good, for once."
::Give the Ring of Namira. "I'll sleep better once this keepsake of Namira is gone from my possession. A good choice for our purpose, though."
::Give the Skeleton's Key. "The merchants of Cyrodiil would sleep more soundly, knowing this Key is gone from the world. But why tell them?"
::Give Spellbreaker. "Not many people would give up Spellbreaker for destruction, my friend. Your sacrifice honors me."
::Give the Sanguine Rose. "I never thought to see this again. I once possessed it, briefly ... a lifetime ago, it seems now ... To obtain it, and then give it up ... I honor your dedication to our cause."
::Give the Wabbajack. "Good riddance to this tool of mischief."
::Give the Skull of Corruption. "The world will be better off with this foul thing gone from it."
::Give the Oghma Infinium. "Not many could resist the temptation of the Oghma Infinium. Now it is my turn to be put to the test!"
::Give the Ebony Blade. "I wonder if Mephala herself knows how many lives this foul blade has taken over the years? I will be glad to give the world a respite from it."
:::What else can I do to help? "You should talk to Jauffre. He needs your help. Trouble down in Bruma, I think."
"Farewell, my friend."
Show: Blood of the Divines
Inside Cloud Ruler Temple:
"I've figured out another item needed for the ritual to open the portal to Camoran's Paradise. The second item is a counterpart to the first: the blood of a Divine. This was a terrible puzzle to me. Unlike the Daedra Lords, the gods have no artifacts, and do not physically manifest themselves in our world. How then to obtain the blood of a god? But Jauffre solved it. The blood of Tiber Septim himself, who became one of the Divines. This is a secret remembered only by the Blades, passed down from one Grandmaster to the next. Jauffre should tell it to you himself."
"Be sure to speak to Jauffre about the Armor of Tiber Septim. I'll continue my study of the Mysterium Xarxes."
If approached again:
"My research is moving forward again. It's only a matter of time before I decipher the third and fourth ingredients for the ritual."
"Good luck, my friend. Don't take any unnecessary risks."
After obtaining the Armor of Tiber Septim:
"My progress on the Mysterium Xarxes is slow, I'm afraid. How goes your search for the Armor of Tiber Septim?"
:Armor of Tiber Septim "The Septim blood may flow through my veins, but you have the soul of a hero. The Armor of Tiber Septim himself! Jauffre will be amazed to see it. You can reassure Jauffre that I will not destroy the armor. All I need is a scraping of Talos' divine blood. The Blades are as touchy as priests about relics of Tiber Septim, it seems!"
::What else can I do to help? "While you were gone, I've made some progress in deciphering the Mysterium Xarxes ritual. The third item we need is a Great Welkynd Stone. You may have run across lesser Welkynd Stones; they are fairly common in Ayleid ruins. But a Great Welkynd Stone will not be easy to come by. They have been plundered one by one over the years, due to their great value to mages and occultists. There is only one place that is rumored to still contain one: the ruins of the Ayleid city of Miscarcand. A place where many have perished seeking its Great Stone. But nothing else will do, so you must succeed where all others have failed."
:::Tell me about Miscarcand. "The capital of one of the Ayleid kingdoms which flourished in Cyrodiil before the rise of Men. It is said that the ruins are still haunted by the vengeful spirit of its last king. True or not, it is not a place to enter lightly. Be careful."
"Be careful, my friend. I know you have braved many dangers already, but Miscarcand is not to be taken lightly."
Show: Miscarcand
Inside Cloud Ruler Temple:
"The last item for the ritual still eludes me, I'm afraid. The Mysterium Xarxes gives up its secrets reluctantly. The supporting glyphs all point to Oblivion, but the signifier of the main symbol matches nothing ... I'm sorry to burden you with my problems. I'll do my best to have an answer by the time you return with the Great Welkynd Stone."
:Great Welkynd Stone "The pinnacle of Ayleid magic. Once every Ayleid city had its Great Stone, but they've all been plundered over the centuries. All but one. The Great Stone of Miscarcand is reputed still to shine in the deep darkness of its ruined halls. But no one has ever done more than glimpse it from a distance. It is said to be guarded by the ghost of the last king of Miscarcand."
:Miscarcand "Miscarcand is one of the most extensive Ayleid ruins in Cyrodiil. It was the capital of one of the ancient Ayleid kingdoms. You might find 'Glories and Laments Among the Ayleid Ruins' useful. I have the library's copy at my table if you need it."
"I should have the final part of the ritual deciphered soon. It's only a matter of time."
If approached again:
"I've made no progress on the fourth item. And every day that passes brings the Mythic Dawn closer to victory."
After retrieving the Great Welkynd Stone:
"Ah, here you are! I have good news, of a sort."
""
"You're back. And you've got the Great Stone..."
:I said I'd get it. "You did. I can count on you."
:I had a choice? "Yes. You did. I can't force you to do anything. I understand that. And I thank you."
::[Give him the Great Welkynd Stone] "I never thought to see a Great Welkynd Stone! As beautiful as all the old tales tell... But of course its beauty is a mask for its deadly power, like everything crafted by the Ayleids. Now we need only one more item, and we'll be ready to open a portal to Mankar Camoran's realm..."
Show: Defense of Bruma
Inside Cloud Ruler Temple:
What is the last item we need? "I should have seen it sooner. It's the counterpart of the Great Welkynd Stone, just as the first two were the opposed powers of the daedra and the divines. Welkynd Stones contain the concentrated power of Mundus; their counterparts are Sigil stones, which are used to hold open Oblivion Gates. A Great Sigil Stone, then, is what we require."
:Sigil stone? What's the catch? "You're not going to like it. Jauffre doesn't like it. The Countess of Bruma certainly isn't going to like it. Great Sigil Stones are anchors of Great Gates. The kind of gate the Mythic Dawn opened at Kvatch. The kind of Gate the Mythic Dawn wants to open here to destroy Bruma."
::So we let them open the Gate? "I said you weren't going to like it. The risk is great, I know. I was at Kvatch. I saw the terrible power of the daedric siege engine. But we have no choice. The only way to recover the Amulet of Kings is to allow the Mythic Dawn to proceed with their plan to attack Bruma."
:::At least you'll be safe here. "No. I'll lead the defense of Bruma myself. If I am to be Emperor, it's time I started acting like one."
::::It's too risky. I'll lead the battle. "Remember when we first met at Kvatch? I told you that I didn't want any part of the gods' plan. I still don't know if there is a divine plan. But I've come to realize that it doesn't matter. What matters is that we act. That we do what's right, when confronted with evil. That's what you did at Kvatch. It wasn't the gods that saved us, it was you. Were you acting for the gods? I don't know. But now it's my turn to act."
:::::As you command. "Please, my friend. I need your judgement, not your obedience. I explain myself to you so you understand me. And so you can explain yourself to the Countess. I'm afraid she may take a bit more convincing than you."
::::::I'll inform the Countess at once. "Good. Have her meet me in the Chapel of Talos for a council of war. That seems a fitting place to make such desperate plans."
If approached again:
"Let the Countess know I'll be waiting for her in the Chapel of Talos."
:Battle Plans "We must allow the Mythic Dawn to proceed with their plan to open three lesser Gates outside Bruma. According to the plans you captured from those spies, they need three lesser Gates open before they can open a Great Gate. The Great Gate will allow them to bring out the siege machine to blast the walls of Bruma, just like at Kvatch. But it's our only hope to get the Great Sigil Stone we need to complete the ritual. You'll have to act swiftly when the Great Gate opens."
:Daedric magic "As a young man, I grew impatient with Mages Guild restrictions, as did many of my fellow apprentices. We threw ourselves into the riddles of daedric magic. We hungered for forbidden secrets. Knowledge and power were our gods. You can guess the rest. We got in over our heads. People died. My friends died. I've put those days behind me. But the bitter wisdom that one has been a fool is not without value."
"Farewell, my friend."
Inside the Chapel of Talos:
"When you're ready for battle, the Countess will order her men to stop closing the Gates outside the city."
After accepting to start the battle:
"My place is on the battlefield. The time for hiding in Cloud Ruler Temple is over. Come, let us go down to battle together."
After closing the Gate:
"We won a great victory here today! We now have the means to recover the Amulet of Kings from Mankar Camoran. But we need to act quickly. Camoran will not take long to recognize his danger. Remember, the portal closes behind you. Anything you need, carry it with you. I'll have the portal ready in the Great Hall when you arrive. Farewell."
:Mysterium Xarxes "I have everything necessary for the ritual to use the Xarxes to open a portal to Camoran's Paradise. Remember, the portal will close behind you, so you will need to take everything you need."
:Oblivion Gate "The only way to close all the Oblivion Gates forever is for me to relight the Dragonfires in the Temple of the One. Our only hope is to recover the Amulet of Kings from Mankar Camoran."
"Farewell, my friend."
If approached again:
"Do you need something? Otherwise I should make my preparations for the ritual. There's no time to lose."
Show: Paradise
Inside Cloud Ruler Temple:
"I have everything in place for the ritual. I'll open the portal whenever you're ready. I don't know what you'll find in Camoran's Paradise. I do know the portal I create through the Mysterium Xarxes ritual will close behind you. You'll have to find another way back. I believe that Mankar Camoran acts as the "anchor" for Paradise, just as a sigil stone anchors an Oblivion Gate in place. Kill Mankar Camoran, and you will unmake his Paradise. Shall I open the portal to Paradise? Are you ready?"
:Yes, open the portal to Paradise. "Farewell, my friend. Our fate is in your hands. Bring back the Amulet of Kings. Brace yourself."
:I'm not ready yet. "That's fine. Make sure you have everything you need. There's no telling what you'll find there."
If approached again:
"We have only one chance at this! Use the portal to Camoran's Paradise before it closes again!"
Upon returning from Paradise:
"You found a way back! Does this mean... ?"
:Mankar Camoran is dead. "You did it. You defeated him. Then you have it... you have the Amulet of Kings?"
::Here. The Amulet belongs to you. "Belongs to me? The Amulet of Kings? So you and Jauffre have said. If it is true, if the Emperor really was my father, then I should be able to wear it. Only those of the Septim blood can wear the Amulet of Kings."
:::Put on the Amulet, your Majesty. "Yes, of course. What am I waiting for? After all, this is my destiny. No man can deny his destiny."
::::You see, you are Uriel's son. "I didn't really need the Amulet to tell me that. I've known it was true since you first told me back in Kvatch. But it is one thing to talk of becoming Emperor, and quite another to actually be the Emperor."
:::::You are the Emperor. "Not yet. Until we light the Dragonfires, the Gates are open, and Mehrunes Dagon's invasion continues. While you were gone, I sent a messenger to Chancellor Ocato. He waits for us in the Imperial City."
::::::Why meet Ocato? "Chancellor Ocato is the head of the Elder Council. The Council rules in the Emperor's absence. I don't expect any objection from the Elder Council, but we should defer to their authority. Let's go to the Imperial City at once, before the enemy can recover from Mankar Camoran's death."
Show: Light the Dragonfires
Inside Cloud Ruler Temple:
"We should go to the Imperial City at once. Lead on."
:Follow me. "Lead on, my friend."
:Wait here. "I'll stay here until you're ready to continue to the Elder Council Chambers. Don't be long."
:I need to speak to you. "Of course."
::Oblivion Gate "Against all hope, you returned from Camoran's Paradise with the Amulet of Kings! We now have a chance to turn back Dagon's invasion. I must go to the Temple of the One and perform the ceremony to relight the Dragonfires. But we must hurry! The barriers between our world and Oblivion weaken with every Gate that is opened. If Mehrunes Dagon is able to cross over into our world, even relighting the Dragonfires will not be able to send him back."
At the Imperial Palace:
"Let's continue on to the Elder Council Chambers. Delay is dangerous."
"Let's continue on to the Elder Council Chambers."
Near Ocato:
"By ancient tradition, I may not present myself as a candidate for the throne. I need you to formally present my claim to Chancellor Ocato."
After speaking to Ocato:
"Mehrunes Dagon knows that if I can reach the Temple of the One and light the Dragonfires, he has lost. Come on!"
After spotting Mehrunes Dagon:
"We're too late... Mehrunes Dagon is here! Lighting the Dragonfires will no longer save us... the barriers that protected us from Oblivion are gone..."
:Can we cast him back into Oblivion? "I don't see how... mortal weapons may hurt him, but now that he is physically here in Tamriel, they have no power to actually destroy him."
::What about the Amulet of Kings? "Wait. Yes. The Amulet was given to mortals by Akatosh... it contains His divine power... But how to use this power against Dagon? The Amulet was not intended as a weapon... ... I have an idea. One last hope. I must reach the Dragonfires in the Temple of the One."
:::But you said it was no use... "You'll just have to trust me. I now know what I was born to do. But I'll need your help. I have to get past Mehrunes Dagon, somehow."
::::I'll get you to the Temple. "Then I'll do the rest. Lead on, my friend."
:::::Follow me. "I'm with you."
:::::Wait here. "We'll hold them off as long as we can. Return quickly."
If approached again:
"Help me get past Dagon and into the Temple of the One! I'll do the rest!"
After entering the Temple of the One:
"Come on! We need to get to the Dragonfires before it's too late!"
Deeper in the Temple of the One:
"I do what I must do. I cannot stay to rebuild Tamriel, that task falls to others. Farewell. You've been a good friend, in the short time that I've known you. But now I must go. The Dragon waits."
==Conversations==
===Cloud Ruler Temple===
Cyrus: "Grandmaster, is this ... ?"
Jauffre: "Yes, Cyrus. This is the Emperor's son. Martin Septim."
Cyrus: "My lord! Welcome to Cloud Ruler Temple! We have not had the honor of an Emperor's visit in in many years!"
Martin: "Ah, well, thank you! The honor is mine."
Jauffre: "Come. Your Blades are waiting to greet you."
===Hailing Martin Septim===
Jauffre: "Blades! Dark times are upon us. The Emperor and his sons were slain on our watch. The Empire is in chaos. But there is yet hope. Here is Martin Septim, true son of Uriel Septim!"
Belisarius: "Hail, Dragonborn! Hail Martin Septim! Hail!"
Captain Steffan: "Hail, Dragonborn! Hail Martin Septim! Hail!"
Caroline: "Hail, Dragonborn! Hail Martin Septim! Hail!"
Cyrus: "Hail, Dragonborn! Hail Martin Septim! Hail!"
Jena: "Hail, Dragonborn! Hail Martin Septim! Hail!"
Roliand: "Hail, Dragonborn! Hail Martin Septim! Hail!"
Jauffre: "Your Highness. The Blades are at your command. You will be safe here until you can take up your throne."
Martin: "Jauffre. All of you. I know you all expect me to be Emperor. I'll do my best. But this is all new to me. I'm not used to giving speeches. But I wanted you to know that I appreciate your welcome here. I hope I prove myself worthy of your loyalty in the coming days. That's it. Thank you."
Jauffre: "Well, then. Thank you, Martin. We'd all best get back to our duties, eh, Captain?"
===Defense of Bruma===
Jauffre: "With all due respect, sire, there must be another way. The risk is too great!"
Martin Septim: "I know the risk. I was at Kvatch. But there is no other way. We have no choice."
Jauffre: "The Countess will never agree to it..."
Martin Septim: "She will. She must."
Jauffre: "Very well. The Blades are, as always, at your disposal."
===The Great Sigil Stone===
Countess Narina Carvain: "Your Highness? I am Narina Carvain, Countess of Bruma, at your service."
Martin Septim: "There is no need for any formality at this time. I am not Emperor yet. And I am quite new to this notion of being heir to the throne. Thank you for coming. I know I am asking for a great deal of trust. But this is the only way. I would not suggest it otherwise."
Countess Narina Carvain: "Your champion has already explained the situation to me. I have agreed to it. We will not win this war through caution."
Martin Septim: "You have a rare gift, to know when desperation is the path of wisdom. I will do everything in my power to defend your city, my Lady."
Countess Narina Carvain: "If Bruma falls, the Empire falls with us. So be it."
===The Great Gate===
Martin Septim: "Soldiers of Cyrodiil! The Empire will stand or fall by what we do here today! Will we let the daedra do to Bruma what they did to Kvatch? Will we let them burn our homes? We will let them kill our families? No! We make our stand here, today, for the whole of Cyrodiil! We must hold fast until the Hero of Kvatch can destroy their Great Gate. We must kill whatever comes out of that gate! Soldiers of Cyrodiil! Do you stand with me?"
Chorrol Soldier: "For Chorrol!"
Cheydinhal Soldier: "For Cheydinhal!"
Anvil Soldier: "For Anvil!"
Skingrad Soldier: "Skingrad!"
Bruma Soldier: "For Bruma!"
Kvatch Soldier: "Remember Kvatch!"
Leyawiin Soldier: "Leyawiin!"
===Arrival in the Capital===
Baurus: "Sire, Chancellor Ocato is expecting you. He had word of your arrival in the capital."
Martin Septim: "Very well. Let's finish this."
===Battle of the Imperial City===
Ocato: "Martin Septim, on behalf of the Elder Council, I accept your claim to the Imperial Throne. We should arrange the coronation ceremony as soon as ..."
Imperial Legion Messenger: "Chancellor Ocato! Chancellor Ocato!"
Imperial Legion Messenger: "Chancellor Ocato! The city is under attack! Oblivion Gates have opened, and daedra are inside the walls! The guard is overwhelmed!"
Ocato: "Courage, soldier. We have an Emperor again. Your Highness, what are your orders? Shall the Guard fall back to the Palace?"
Martin Septim: "No. If we let ourselves get besieged in the Palace we're doomed. We must get to the Temple of the One immediately."
Ocato: "As you command, sire. Guards! Form up and protect the Emperor! To the Temple of the One!"
===Imperial Legion Compound===
Imperial Legion Captain: "The Palace is cut off, sire. We were the last to make it through from the Legion Compound. My men and I are at your disposal. What are your orders?"
Martin Septim: "I need to get to the Temple of the One. It's our only chance to stop Mehrunes Dagon."
Imperial Legion Captain: "Yes sir! Let's move out!"
==Outro of Oblivion==
Upon completion of 's main questline, Martin will say the following in its outro:
"The Amulet is shattered. Dagon is defeated."
"With the Dragon's blood, and the Amulet of Kings, we have sealed the Gates of Oblivion, forever."
"The last of the Septims passes now into history. I go gladly, for I know my sacrifice is not in vain."
"I take my place with my father, and my father's fathers. The Third Age has ended and a new age dawns."
"When the next Elder Scroll is written, you shall be its scribe."
"The shape of the future, the fate of the Empire, these things now belong to you."
==Gallery==
Martin Septim Monk.png|Martin in his priest robes.
Martin Septim.png|Martin in armor.
Martin Septim Full Gear.png|Martin in full gear by the Great Oblivion Gate.
==Quotes==
Quote 	Audio
"All practitioners of daedric magic are familiar with the almost impenetrable barrier between our world and Oblivion." 	
"What the Emperor told you implies that the Amulet is the key to the preservation of that barrier." 	
"What I saw at Kvatch... everything I know about daedric magic says that such stable portals are impossible." 	
"Yet those gates to Oblivion existed. The old rules no longer apply. Kvatch is only the beginning of what Mehrunes Dagon will do." 	
"If the Amulet is truly the key to restoring the barriers between our world and Oblivion, you must waste no time in recovering it." 	
"We won a great victory here today! We now have the means to recover the Amulet of Kings from Mankar Camoran." 	
"Lighting the Dragonfires will no longer save us... the barriers that protected us from Oblivion are gone..." 	
"Miscarcand is one of the most extensive Ayleid ruins in Cyrodiil. It was the capital of one of the ancient Ayleid kingdoms." 	
"You destroyed the Oblivion Gate, they say. You gave them hope. You helped them drive the daedra back." 	
"I assume you didn't risk your own life to come here to tell me something I already know. Who are you and what do you want?" 	
"Yes. I'm a priest. Do you need a priest? I don't think I'll be much help to you." 	
"I prayed to Akatosh all through that terrible night, but no help came. Only more daedra." 	
"No, you must have the wrong man. I am a priest of Akatosh. My father was a farmer." 	
"The Emperor... that's an idea that will take some getting used to." 	
"Of course. The Amulet of Kings. So we... I... can take it to the Temple of the One and light the Dragonfires. And stop the Oblivion invasion." 	
"I suspect that the secret of how to open a portal to Camoran's Paradise lies within these pages." 	
"The Septim blood may flow through my veins, but you have the soul of a hero. The Armor of Tiber Septim himself! Jauffre will be amazed to see it."	
"The Great Gate will allow them to bring out the siege machine to blast the walls of Bruma, just like at Kvatch." 	
"The risk is great, I know. I was at Kvatch. I saw the terrible power of the daedric siege engine." 	
"Soldiers of Cyrodiil! The Empire will stand or fall by what we do here today!" 	
"Will we let the daedra do to Bruma what they did to Kvatch? Will we let them burn our homes? We will let them kill our families?" 	
"No! We make our stand here, today, for the whole of Cyrodiil!" 	
"We must hold fast until the Hero of Kvatch can destroy their Great Gate. We must kill whatever comes out of that gate!" 	
"Soldiers of Cyrodiil! Do you stand with me?" 	
"No. I'll lead the defense of Bruma myself. If I am to be Emperor, it's time I started acting like one." 	
"Remember when we first met in Kvatch? I told you that I didn't want any part of the gods' plan." 	
"I still don't know if there is a divine plan. But I've come to realize that it doesn't matter." 	
"What matters is that we act. That we do what's right, when confronted with evil." 	
"Please, my friend. I need your judgement, not your obedience." 	
"After all, this is my destiny. No man can deny his destiny." 	
"But it is one thing to talk of becoming Emperor, and quite another to actually be the Emperor." 	
"Farewell, my friend. Our fate is in your hands. Bring back the Amulet of Kings." 	
"I don't see how... mortal weapons may hurt him, but now that he is physically here in Tamriel, they have no power to actually destroy him." 	
"As a young man, I grew impatient with Mages Guild restrictions, as did many of my fellow apprentices." 	
"We threw ourselves into the riddles of daedric magic. We hungered for forbidden secrets. Knowledge and power were our gods." 	
"You can guess the rest. We got in over our heads. People died. My friends died." 	
"I've put those days behind me. But the bitter wisdom that one has been a fool is not without value." 	
"I know more than I want to about the seductive power of daedric magic. Let's just leave it at that." 	
"Against all hope, you returned from Camoran's Paradise with the Amulet of Kings! We now have a chance to turn back Dagon's invasion." 	
"If Mehrunes Dagon is able to cross over into our world, even relighting the Dragonfires will not be able to send him back." 	
"It is now clear to me that the only way to stop the Oblivion invasion is to relight the Dragonfires." 	
"Emperor, Amulet, and Dragonfire--with these divine gifts, the daedra of Oblivion have been kept at bay for thousands of years." 	
"While the Dragonfires burned, the divine barriers kept the daedra from making more than fleeting visits to our world." 	
"This was the essence of Mankar Camoran's plot. He was undone only by the merest... chance... but his complete victory remains perilously close." 	
"We must recover the Amulet of Kings and relight the Dragonfires, before it is too late to stem Dagon's invasion." 	
==Trivia==
*While Martin's mother is unknown, Caius Cosades suspected that it was a girl named Gemile.Caius Cosades' Visit to Uriel VII's Tomb
*Martin is voiced by Sean Bean (in conjunction with Blindlight studios). He also played Boromir in The Lord of The Rings film trilogy and Lord Eddard Stark in HBO series Game of Thrones. Martin falls in along with many other characters that Sean Bean has portrayed, due to the fact that they are killed during a climactic scene; most notable of these are Boromir in The Fellowship of the Ring, Alec Trevelyan in GoldenEye, and Eddard Stark in Game of Thrones.
*When he is first met in Kvatch, his name is shown as "Brother Martin." When he is brought to Cloud Ruler Temple, he is referred to as "Martin." After returning from Paradise at the end of the Main Quest, he is referred to as "Martin Septim."
*In Skyrim, the Thalmor claim they ended the Oblivion Crisis within the Aldmeri Dominion. A reason for this is that the Thalmor made this claim to the people of the Summerset Isles after the Oblivion Crisis ended in order to gain the favor of the desperate people.Rising Threat, Vol. III
*During the quest "The Mind of Madness," Sheogorath says he considers Martin Septim one of, if not the, greatest Septim that has ever ruled. Although he says the only reason for that being Martin turned into a Dragon God, which was "hardly sporting." This could also be attributed to the long-standing theory that Sheogorath may be the Hero of Kvatch, and is speaking from his perspective during the Oblivion Crisis.
*Martin's inventory, weapons and clothing change dramatically throughout the questline. When the Hero meets him in Kvatch, he wears a grey robe and buckled shoes and wields a dagger of sparks. After returning from Miscarcand with the great welkynd stone, he wields a silver longsword of frost and is clad in Emperor's armor. And upon triumphing over Mankar Camoran in Paradise, he will be wearing the Emperor's robe and Emperor's shoes.
==Bugs==
*If the Hero of Kvatch already has the great welkynd stone in their possession when Martin gives them the quest to retrieve it, and does not go to Miscarcand, Martin will not change into the Emperor's armor, but rather only put the helmet on, keeping his robes and shoes. This greatly lessens his capabilities in the following battle and he will almost surely be killed before the Great Gate opens unless the Hero constantly monitors and heals him throughout the battle.
*Rarely, when one first meets Martin in Kvatch, his uniquely voiced greeting will be replaced with the generic male Imperial voiced greeting if one goes near but does not speak to him.
==Appearances==
*
*
* 
* The Oblivion Crisis
*
==References==
cs:Martin Septim
de:Martin Septim
es:Martin Septim
fr:Martin Septim
pl:Martin Septim
ru:Мартин Септим (персонаж)
pt:Martin Septim
it:Martin Septim
Category:Emperors of the Septim Empire
Category:Oblivion: Followers
Category:Oblivion: Quest Givers
Category:Oblivion: Kvatch Characters
Category:Royalty
Category:Septim Bloodline