Oblivion:Defending the Mane

Image:icon_mane.png
Defending the Mane
Skingrad Castle
Skingrad Castle.


Quick Walkthrough

  1. Taminwe talks to you
  2. Travel to Skingrad
  3. Meet the Archer and talk her out of it
  4. Hunt for the Messenger

Detailed Walkthrough

Taminwe

At the Red Dragon Club, Taminwe will tell you that Ocato has another investigation for you to do. Someone may be trying to kill the Mane, the spiritual leader of Elsweyr. She won't be coming with you, as she has to "entertain" a diplomat representing Andorak Septim's descendents. They renounced the throne in the agreement that crowned Cephorus II, but may be the closest remaining relatives.

Archer

Taminwe suggests you start looking in Skingrad, as it's the closest to the borders of both Elsweyr and Valenwood (a good source of archers). Then try Bravil and Leyawiin, following the Elsweyr border south.

In Skingrad, you find a Bosmer has just joined the Fighters Guild. Her name is Enilwen, and she's good with a bow. When you talk to her, you find she has been asked to kill the Mane by a Khajiit, who she's slept with, but not found out his name! She just calls him "Messenger".

You talk her out of the job, by showing her how a simple Detect Life spell will make it next to impossible for her to get away alive. You'll need a scroll of Minor Detect Life for that, and one has been added to the Mages Guild shelves in case you can't find one to buy. She agrees to help you find out more about the assassination attempt, starting with the Khajiit.

The Khajiit Messenger

She met the Khajiit in a tavern in town, the Two Sisters, and that's where she expects to see him again. She asked him to get a Ring of Shadows to help her get close to the Mane. She has a cuirass with Chameleon, and can cast the spell, but has told him needs more than that. She doesn't know when he'll return with one, but she checks at the Two Sisters Lodge each evening from 5 to 8 PM when she has her main meal of the day.

The two of you decide to go there together and you find Messenger waiting for Enilwen. (If you are already in the Two Sisters Lodge, he'll appear after you leave and re-enter.) He'll come and talk to her and ask her to follow him out to the Vineyards, where he can check on her Chameleon strength with the new ring he brought. You follow them, but he detects you and attacks. When he sees that he's losing, he commits suicide using a ring of fire (like Ajum-Kajin did in the TG quest).

Recruit a new Spy

After you fail to get any useful information from the Khajiit, Enilwen reveals all she's deduced about the plot from her discussions with him. You're impressed by the insightfulness of her analysis, and her willingness to use her feminine means to extract information. She'd be just right for the Red Dragon Club. Perhaps an in-depth interview is the next step?

Notes

Journal Entries

Defending the Mane (GS22)
Stage Finishes Quest Journal Entry
10 Taminwe gave me a message from Ocato. They've heard that someone is trying to stir up trouble in Elsweyr, and is planning the assassination of the Mane. She suggested I start looking in Skingrad, and there may be an archer involved.
20 A beggar in Skingrad reminded me that the obvious place to look for an archer was at the Fighters Guild.
30 There's a new archer in the Fighter Guild. Her name is Enilwen, which sounds like a Bosmer name. It makes sense that a Bosmer would be good with a bow. I need to find her and have a chat.
40 Enilwen has been hired to assassinate the Mane, but she doesn't appreciate how dangerous the attempt would be. I need to convince her it's not worth trying. She's never seen how Detect Life works. I need to show her. A weak scroll would be best, if I can find one
50 I have a scroll of Minor Detect Life. I should go and give it to Enilwen, so she can see how it works.
60 Now Enilwen understands how Detect Life could be used against her, she's decided against the mission. Maybe I can get her to help me find out more about the Khajiit and whoever else is in the conspiracy.
70 Enilwen has agreed to help me. We are going to the Two Sisters' Lodge, where she expects to meet the Khajiit.
80 Messenger was in the Two Sisters' Lodge when we arrived. He wants Enilwen to go with him to the Vineyard, so he can see how effective her Chameleon is with the ring he brought. I should follow them, and try not to be seen.
90 The Khajiit detected me and we fought. He killed himself with an enchanted ring, before I could ask any questions. Perhaps Enilwen knows something more?
100 0Yes After talking to her, I've come to the conclusion that she has a lot in common with Taminwe. I've asked her to come to the Red Dragon Club, and apply for a job.
Notes