Farandare

"The magicka, it fades too quickly! I can't correct for the fluctuations in time. No! Wait … is someone there? Quickly! If you ever want to see the city again, come to me!"

Who are you? Where are you? "There's no time! Once the magicka fades …. Oh, never mind! Meet me in the small cave past the menhir, across the planks. Quickly!"

On my way.

"At last! Someone with the power to aid my efforts. I am Farandare, and I've spent my lifetime trying to rescue the city of Falinesti. With your help, I may be able to do it."

You know where the city is? "Yes. There are many theories about what happened to the Walking City. I believe it was drawn into Oblivion and trapped there, with all its population. At last, I've found a way to open a portal large enough to rescue it."

In this little cave? "No, not in this one. This little cave's my haven. My refuge. Saving Falinesti is my pilgrimage, but everytime I move forward, something pushes back. And yet, I'm sure I can save the Walking City."

What can I do? "Near each of the standing stones in the valley is a nearly imperceptible Oblivion tear. Leftovers from my earlier experiments, but they're letting Daedra in. A mortal's touch will close them. Once one is closed, the other three must be shut quickly.

Quickly? Why? "First, I must time my ritual with each closure. This area is unstable, and the tears would open up again in a few minutes. I can't both close the tears and perform the ritual. I need your help."

You said "first"? "The second reason is the Daedra will open a portal in the valley and summon more of their kind. You must fight your way to each tear, then meet me at my laboratory within the northern cave. Are you ready?

Yes, let's get started.

No, wait. Give me a moment. [?]

Are you doing this alone? "My husband was one of the thousands in Falinesti when it disappeared. I love him, and won't stop working at it until I've rescued him. And I'm not alone. You can help me now."

"Darling! Can you hear me? I'll save you! It's working! I can feel it! The portal opens!"

That looks a lot like the portal the Daedra were coming through. "Does it? Then they must be blocking the city, too! We're too close to give in now. You must stop them! Clear a path for the city."

No! I'm not ready. Give me a moment. [?]

Yes! I'm ready for whatever comes through that portal!

"This can't be! I can't sense his presence at all! Too many variables to track … my husband, all of Falinesti. They're so close! So close! The Walking City must still be trapped in Oblivion! We have to try again!"

Nothing will come through that portal but more Daedra. "That can't be true! All these years … all my research. They all point to one thing: my husband is trapped in Oblivion! Don't you see? We must try again!"

Please, do more research. You can't reach Falinesti this way. "You can't be … you're not …. No, you're right. But I'm convinced my theory's right, too. Falinesti's in Oblivion. I must find it. I will try again."

Good luck with your research, Farandare. "I was right about you. You've been strong enough to help me see my own weakness. Well. Back to work then. I'm sure I'll be able to find a way."

Try again, here, and you'll die alone. I won't die with you. [?]