User:Vordur Steel-Hammer/Roleplay Resources/Memoirs of Nelathendil the Arcanist

Memoirs of Nelathendil the Arcanist

by Nelathendil the Arcanist

A journal of an ancient Aldmeri mage

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[The following text is written in ancient Aldmeris, and pretty much unintelligible to anyone without good knowledge of elven languages. Most entries are worn, faded and illegible; only a few are in a sufficient condition to be read.]

Memoirs of Nelathendil the Arcanist

Entry 82:

I seem to have finally reached a major breakthrough. I have acquired several samples of a yet unknown, blue, crystalline material. After refining, it seems to be able to store the required amount of Aetherial magicka. In fact, its capacity seems limitless. Maybe it is somehow intrinsically attuned to it? I would love to perform more research on this material, but as far as I know, there are no more known samples to be found, and even if there were, my budget would not allow me to purchase them.

Entry 96:

The progress is steady since the acquisition of new crystals. Now the most difficult things that remain are gathering the required amount of Malondo and Culanda stones to provide the required amount of Aetherial magicka, and some way to focus it so it could be used for the planned purposes.

My beloved Elanirya visited me at my workshop today. I can't believe two most important days in my life – the day of our wedding and the day of finishing my life's work – are so close. With Auri-El's blessing, I will make it happen before the year ends.

Entry 108:

Elanirya suggests I should decide what form to give to my new artifact. I thought about a staff or something like that, but she says it is „boring” and I should think of something more original.

My beloved has strange sense of humor sometimes, but she's the joy of my life, and I cannot wait until, with Auri-El and Mara's divine blessings, we finally become husband and wife.

The only thing I'm concerned about is this prophet. She goes to the gatherings to listen to his preaching so often. I can't place it, but something fells off about him. And there are rumors he speaks about the Ones-That-Are-Not-Our-Ancestors. I shouldn't probably worry that much; Elanirya would never even want to listen to such things if it was true.

Entry 134:

It seems I am close to gathering the required amount of Aetherial magicka. Just a bit more Malondo and Culanda stones. I have decided to try to use the sky prisms as well; chances are they will amplify the properties of the artifact synergistically.

I have decided to give it the form of a mirror. I have purchased a top-quality mirror made of glass, and have yet to install the crystals in it. When all the energy is gathered, and I find a good focus, it will be ready.

If only things in my private life went as well. Elanirya comes to listen to this prophet-person – his name is Veloth, I believe – more and more often. I'm worried that it makes her behave more and more strangely. Yesterday, she asked how I could be sure that Auri-El existed if I had never seen him. How can she say such things?

Entry 151:

I've got it! A soul, something that links our realm to Aetherius, will be the perfect focus for the device. A soul gem, filled with a powerful soul, should be enough to properly direct the energy gathered in the crystals.

I have decided to name the artifact the Aetherial Mirror, for it will bestow the wisdom of our ancestors, Auri-El in particular, upon the user.

Entry 157:

Elanirya is getting worse and worse. She begins to openly questions the teachings of our Ancestors, sometimes even their existence. What's worse, she often does it in public. I really hope she does not get into trouble. I told her to stop seeing this Veloth man, but she refuses to listen.

Entry 163:

The Aetherial Mirror is ready! With enough Aetherial energy and a focus in form of a soul, it works just as intended. The results I experienced were just amazing.

Entry 170:

I can't believe it. Just as I finish my most important work, my life has been shattered in a million pieces.

Veloth decided to lead his cult out of the Isles. Rumors are that he teaches people to turn away from our Ancestors and worship blasphemous Azura, Mephala, and Boethiah. How could a sane person do such a thing?

I should be happy that they are leaving, but Elanirya said she's going with them. She invited me to join and „forsake the foolish ways of obeying the false gods that have no real power”. What has she become, what makes her speak such blasphemies? While she's all that is important to me, I can't turn my back on Auri-El, Trinimac, Xarxes, and the other Ancestors. But Elanirya says that she is leaving, with or without me. And to think it happens just before our wedding!

My life is ruined without my beloved. I will give her the Aetherial Mirror, I don't need it anymore. Perhaps she will use its power to remember me by... and to remember her old self. Perhaps.

Auri-El, please take my soul and end my torment.

[Near the end you find some loose pages tucked in. They appear to be much newer, and the text on them is written in Cyrodilic. While somewhat dated, it should be understandable to any literate denizen of Tamriel.]

Journal of Vinitius Corax of the Imperial Archaeological Society

Year 2864

I have finally managed to find a trace of Elanirya. Accessing the records in Ebonheart was not easy (or cheap), but it paid off – they mentioned a certain „Elana” as the founder of the modern Niryleth family. A quick chat with the Dres officials revealed that the family is a vassal of House Hlaalu and has a small manor in Balmora. That seems like a good place to start.

***

The lead was good, and I've been finally able to locate Elanirya's tomb in Assarnatamat. The family's records mentioned that the legendary founder, Elana Niryleth, possessed an enchanted mirror, but the family members were never aware what it actually was. Alas, the mirror was nowhere to be found in the tomb. The Niryleth records also mentioned the place being invaded and looted by the forces of Rkulftangth the Red Dwarf several centuries after the family's foundation, so it seems likely that the Dwemer took it. I need to do some more research on this.

***

After visiting some remote Dwemer ruins and studying the inscriptions within, I have been able to determine that the Mirror made its way into the hands of the Rourken clan, and if so, it likely ended up somewhere far to the west. I need to continue my search; I have one more ruin to check.

**

The last piece of the puzzle is in my hands. Here, high in the Velothi Mountains, I visited a very peculiar, remote ruin – the inscriptions on the walls reveal the name ”Kagrenzel” - and I found the name of the ruin the Mirror should be in. I have no idea where it exactly is, but I'm pretty sure I know where to look. It appears I need to go far to the west.

**

Ambush! Our caravan was attacked by an Orc party as we traveled through the snows. They're slaughtering all my men! I have managed to hide, but it won't be long before they find me here. I need to record the final ruin's name for someone worthy enough to continue my research, but I can't let these barbarians get there first.

To learn the ruin's name, you need:

—the first letter of the name of the founder of the Alessian Order;

—the fourth letter of the name of the Emperor;

—the second letter of the name of the Mastery of Morrowind;

—the third letter of the name of Reman's holy city;

—the first letter of the name of the Last Dwarven King;

—the first letter of the name of the Nords' most revered hero;

—the last letter of the name of the ruling dynasty of Valenwood;

—the second letter of the name of the Empress who annexed High Rock.

By Akatosh, I can hear them! They're com-