Beyond Skyrim:Cyrodiil/Legate Precilius Varro

Legate Precilius Varro (RefID: xx08ACB5)
Location	Fort Pale Pass
Race	Imperial	Gender	Male
Level	PC (range=10-50)	Class	Warrior
RefID	xx08ACB5	BaseID	xx08ACB4
Other Information
Health	80+(PC)×?	Magicka	50
Stamina	50+(PC)×?
Primary Skills	Block, Heavy Armor, Archery, One-handed
Class Details	CombatWarrior1H
Morality	No Crime	Aggression	Aggressive
Faction(s)	CWImperialFaction; CYRImperialLegionFaction; CYRFortPalePassGuardFaction; CYRCrimeFactionBruma

Legate Precilius Varro

Legate Precilius Varro, an Imperial warrior, is the ranking officer at Fort Pale Pass. He is having trouble with a certain Stormcloak prisoner, and will enlist your help in his interrogation during the A Stormcloak in Chains. Once you've helped the Legate with Bjarni's interrogation, he will reach out to you by courier a few days later and ask for your assistance in ridding the fort of a critter infestation.

During Upon My Honor, Varro will fill in some details about Harran Iron-Heart: he mysteriously vanished while on patrol in the Jeralls a few months ago and has not been seen since. He will suggest you speak with the men in the fort to gather any other information.

When you first arrive at the Fort, he will be in courtyard, hearing a fresh report from one of his troops. He sleeps every night from midnight to 8am and spends the next twelve hours pacing the fort's main area. At 8pm, he will head to his quarters for some food, unless it's Morndas, in which case he will instead spend the next four hours sitting above the forge. The only change to this schedule is on Middas, when he spends four hours from 10am to 2pm at the pulpit in the chapel, presiding over the weekly meeting of his troops.

The legate wears a full set of Imperial armor: cuirass, boots, bracers and an officer's helmet. He is armed with an Imperial sword and shield. He also carries the key to the fort's substructure.

Related Quests

• A Stormcloak in Chains: Help or hinder a captured Stormcloak.
• Upon My Honor: Find out what happened to a missing Imperial soldier
• Within the Ruins: Clear Fort Pale Pass of a spider infestation.

Quest-Related Events

A Stormcloak in Chains

When first arriving at Fort Pale Pass, you will witness Varro talking to one of his soldiers:

Varro: "Report, soldier. Any luck?"

Soldier: "None, sir. We persuaded him, we threatened him, we even beat him... still wouldn't talk."

Varro: "Gah, damn it all. Unsurprising, though, sadly. This one's stubborn. Too stubborn for his own good. Still, you did all you could, and that's admirable in itself. Now go, get back to your regular shift. Damn it all. I'm at a loss. Divines - how can I get that damned guy to shut up and comply?"

If you approach the Legate, he will reveal who he is talking about:

What was that conversation all about?

"What was that conversation about? It was about possibly the most stubborn prisoner we've ever captured and incarcerated here. We caught him crossing the border a few days ago. Since then, he's been raving incoherently. Well, he's coherent, but near delusional. We've been meaning to interrogate him, but every time I've sent one of my soldiers to do it he's refused. And, you know the worst damned part? I feel for him. He's clearly somewhere between naive and insane, and the Penitus Oculatus aren't the most merciful sort. They'll come for him soon, make no doubt about it. And when they do - he'll face a fate much worse than any of my troops could dispatch. It's not the best situation, but my hands are tied."

What will happen if you can't get the information out of him here?

"He'll be carted off by the Penitus Oculatus, the Empire's secret police. I've heard a lot about how they operate, none of it pretty. I'd prefer to resolve this situation here before sending this guy off to them. Divines know it'd probably be a fate worse than death. But if no one's able to successfully interrogate him, well, my hands are tied."

Best of luck with that.

"Thanks. Though, thinking about it - I don't suppose you'd be interested? You do seem like the perfect candidate."

I don't suppose there'd be any reward for an... independent interrogator?

"Some gold, sure. Why? You thinking of helping?"

Not interested, sorry.

"Fair enough. Not exactly your business, I suppose. Return to me if you reconsider - I'll try delay the inevitable for as long as I can."

I'd be happy to assist with the interrogation.

"It's not common practice, but considering what the alternative would be and how uncooperative this particular prisoner is, I can't really say no. He's in the prison wing of the fort. One moment... take this. A letter proving that I've given you authorization to go in there. Best of luck - and thanks for helping us with this."

With this he will hand over a Letter of Permission which will allow you access to the prison. From here you will have to make a decision of whether you want to continue helping Varro or instead assisting Bjarni.

Returning to him before completing the interrogation will have him ask:

"You're back. Made any progress with that interrogation?"

Help Varro

After interrogating Bjarni you will need to help the Jailer kill a Stormcloak trying to unlock his cell. It quickly becomes apparent there's a full-scale assault on the fort going on, so battle your way past the other Stormcloaks who have infiltrated. Once you reach the main courtyard outside, Varro will immediately approach you:

"Soldier! Report! Where's the prisoner?"

Still in his cell.

"That's a relief."

What's going on?

"Stormcloaks. Attacking the fort. What does it look like?"

If you think I had anything to do with this, you're wrong.

"Don't take that tone with me, soldier, or you'll rot in a cell just like that prisoner."

Either way, he will continue:

"Hmph. I guess these blasted Stormcloaks are trying to rescue that damned prisoner. Divines forsake them, and Dagon take them!"

"Yeah... not exactly the outcome I was hoping for."

At this point, two Penitus Oculatus agents will appear:

Varro: "Stay on alert, everyone! Might be more of these Stormcloaks yet."

Soldier: "Alert! We have Stormcloaks coming from the east! We have - wait a second. Stay your weapons! Stay your weapons!"

Varro: "The Penitus Oculatus!"

Penitus Oculatus 1: "Yes, yes. We're the Penitus Oculatus. A thrill for soldiers posted in a frigid backwater such as this, I'm sure. The prisoner. Now, Varro."

Varro: "I... this one, here. I hired them to interrogate him after our own efforts proved fruitless. I suggest you two have a conversation first."

Penitus Oculatus 2: "The Legate's disobeying command. You can't simply let him-"

Penitus Oculatus 1: "Enough. Come, then. Let us speak - and see whether or not your findings are as interesting as the Legate seems to believe."

The leading agent will then ask you for whatever information you managed to extract from Bjarni. Should you refuse to provide information to him, both agents will attack you. Though Varro and his men won't get involved, once you've dispatched the agents he will bemoan:

"I'm a Legion soldier - a damned garrison commander. It's my job to follow orders and keep my head down, and now you've gone and caused this. Listen. I know you just did what you felt you had to do and I can't say I blame you for resisting the Oculatus, but now I'm in deep. Dead Oculatus agents, in the fort I oversee... I'll soon be stripped of my command, or worse. You'd best leave. And, listen... since you did do what I asked... here's your payment. Again, I understand why you did it. I just wish you hadn't."

you will find two Penitus Ocalatus agents ready to spirit Bjarni away, at which point he will make a final attempt to bring you to his side:

Penitus Oculatus: "Ah. It seems the prisoner is here now. I must say, Legate - your operation is quite efficient."

Bjarni: "I'm not afraid of whatever you're going to do to me, Imperial dogs. Give it your best."

Varro: "Are you really going to take him away? His plot was stupid, there's no way he could have done it. He might be insane, for all we know."

Penitus Oculatus: "The security of the Empire comes before all else, Legate. You will come to understand in time."

Bjarni: "You, there! You may be a lapdog of the Imperials, but it's not too late. Put down these damned Imperials. Free me! Don't let them cart me away!"

Penitus Oculatus: "Enough of these foolish overtures. This way."

Once the agents have teleported themselves and Bjarni away, Varro will approach you with your reward:

"Yeah... not exactly the outcome I was hoping for, but the Empire is what it is. The best damned hope for Tamriel, warts and all. Still, you did what I asked of you, and accomplished it well. Here's your payment. I'll try not to think of the poor guy's fate. Not even a Stormcloak deserves to suffer the Penitus Oculatus's interrogation techniques."

Help Bjarni

A disappointed Varro

Once you emerge outside, Varro will be waiting for you, utterly disappointed:

"In a time of desperation, out of a desire to spare that prisoner the horrors of the Penitus Oculatus, I put my faith in you, stranger. You betrayed that trust. While you were in there the Oculatus arrived. Instead, you decided to free a Stormcloak from captivity and storm your way through an Imperial fort - no longer a contractor, but instead, a traitor. I had feared they'd subject the prisoner to a fate worse than death. I wanted to spare him that. But now, I see. I see that you both deserve that fate. The Oculatus agrees. And I intend to help them along."

At this point, if you sounded the warhorn, more Stormcloak reinforcements will join:

Varro: "I'm sorry I have to do this. Really, I am. But it's time to face the consequences of your actions..."

Stormcloak Reinforcements: "You called, Bjarni?"

Varro: "What in Oblivion...?"

Bjarni: "Yeah. In a spot of bother, as you can see. Think it's time we took care of this troublesome border checkpoint, once and for all, as we'd planned."

Varro: "Troops, what in the name of the Divines are you waiting for? Get them! Now!"

With this Varro and his men will attack you.

Within the Ruins

If you chose to side with Varro, about four days later, a courier will approach you and deliver a note from the legate, requesting your assistance in ridding the fort of a critter infestation.

Report back to the fort and the Legate will tell you:

"Ah, good, you're here! I've been thinking, and I've decided that I have further use for your skills. I'll cut to the chase. This fort, Pale Pass - it wasn't always an Imperial garrison. In fact, this little encampment is built atop an ancient substructure."

An ancient substructure?

"Fort Pale Pass was originally an Akaviri fortress. I'm not too clued-up on ancient history, but I do know it was important. Either way, it's now a ruin, buried underground. Right underneath the present-day fortress that we call our frigid home."

Just tell me what you want me to do.

"The substructure, though, is now infested with all manner of beasties and who knows what else. There's an old tunnel that connects this fort to the ruins, built back before they got infested. Stupid decision in hindsight. I want to fortify those ruins, prevent anyone from breaking into the fort through them. But we can't while they're crawling with death-on-legs. If you can go into those tunnels and put a stop to whatever's down there I'd appreciate it - and reward you handsomely to boot."

I'm not interested.

"That's a damned shame. I was hoping, after you'd helped me with... well, nevermind. Return if you reconsider."

Should you return, he will tentatively ask:

"Ah, you're back. Reconsidered? Want to explore the ruins of the old fort and clear 'em out for me?"

I've reconsidered. I'll clear out the substructure.

"Excellent! Here's the key to the tunnel. Head down there and put an end to the chaos. Good luck."

He will then hand you the key to the substructure and send you off. After you've succeeded in taking out the Broodmother, return to Varro to claim your reward:

I've cleared out the substructure.

"Excellent work. Eventually we'll get down there and fortify it... when the powers that be bother to resupply us. Gah, regardless, my thanks for a job well done. Here's your reward. You've more than earned it."

Upon My Honor

After Lassinia Iron-Heart has tasked you with finding news of her missing soldier husband Harran, you can ask Varro to share any information he has on his soldier, though he won't be much help:

Do you know where Harran Iron-Heart is?

"Harran? Oh, yes... Harran. He and a handful of other Imperial soldiers went missing some time ago. Why do you ask? Do you have some information on his whereabouts?"

Lassinia, his wife, has asked me to find him.

"Well, that's not surprising. Nobody wants to become a widow. We've received nearly a sack full of letters from her by now. That poor girl. I haven't had the heart to respond, not until I've discovered some clue to what may have happened to him, at least."

I haven't found any leads yet. What can you tell me about his disappearance?

"Not much, truth be told. One day he and his fellow soldiers just up and vanished. A band of Legion soldiers don't just up and vanish like that. It's unnerving. Clandestine organization unnerving, if you catch my meaning."

You have no idea where he could have gone?

"Unfortunately, no. The Jeralls are vast and perilous. The list of possibilities is about as large as Gnoll Mountain. And just as imposing, sadly. I was tied up handling interrogations lately, otherwise I'd have looked into it more. Maybe talk to some of the troops? Not sure if it's just my lot or if all soldiers have such a knack for endless gossiping, but... well, maybe they'll have theories to check out? Sorry I couldn't be of more use. I swear, border duty'll be the death of me."

Notes

• His surname and the ancestral family blade in his private chambers suggest Legate Varro is likely a descendant of Larrius Varro, a Legion Champion posted at Moonmoth Legion Fort near Balmora during the time of Morrowind.