Gadris

"I'll handle this, Zur. You can come out and see in a moment.
So, someone has come to help us at last!"

Are you talking to yourself? "We're out here in the middle of Coldharbour and that's the best question you can come up with? I am most definitely not talking to myself. I am speaking to the alchemist.
Be quiet, you mangy cat! I can't hear myself think with all that racket!"

I don't see anyone else here. "Patience, Zur. I'll explain everything.
I am with the Mages Guild. We stepped through the portal and wound up in this Vile Laboratory. Daedra experimented on us. They merged our two souls. Now we're wasting away as this soul-meld kills us."

Maybe I can help.

"Here is the potion. I hope Zur didn't cut any corners. But knowing him, it probably tastes terrible."

So this is the potion that will make me small? "Yes, Zur, I'll be sure to mention it.
I am not a mixer of potions, and I don't want to debate the merits of alchemy with Zur again, but the cat knows what he's doing. Inside, look for my notebook. It lists what you need to craft the antipodal rods."

The antipodal what? "Rods that will reverse the soul-meld. Just find the components and craft the rods. We will try to recuperate and regain enough strength to teleport ourselves inside. If you have questions, please ask them before you drink the potion."

Tell me what I need to do once I get inside. "Find the metallurgy workshop. My notebook should be there, placed neatly on a workbench. It contains a list of what you need to create the antipodal rods. Gather the items and craft the rods."

You want me to forge something? "It shouldn't be a problem. The laboratory has a forge. Just follow the directions and apply the proper catalyst. The rods should be able to withstand the reversal process.
After you forge the rods, meet me by the Overseer's atelier."

I'm not sure I understand these antipodal rods. "Oh ... very well.
Zur reminds me that time is short, so I will try to be brief. The rods form two opposing forces that should create a negative energy vortex. In theory, the vortex will unlink the strands that bind our souls and set us free."

I'll drink the potion now. "The potion will work. You'll see. And know that I am grateful for your help. We both are."

"All this skulking around, using up valuable energy on apprentice-level illusions. I grow ever more weary. Even Zur's enthusiasm is ebbing."

I've got the corrupted blood. "I am afraid to hope too much, but you've made such progress. Perhaps we shall end this torment, after all.
The constructs have moved off. The forge area is clear, at least for the moment."

What do I need to do at the forge? "Melt the components in the furnace. Then craft two rods from the mixture. There is an anvil near the furnace. Be careful, though. The mixture can be volatile.
The machine that merged us is further on, in the Overseer's atelier. We'll meet there."

"Teleportation was never this difficult before. The spell took so much out of me, I was afraid we would never materialize. But Zur has the key to this room. He acquired it shortly after we got here. Were you able to craft the antipodal rods?"

I followed your directions. What will the rods do? "We are so close. You need to use the rods to activate the Dwarven device that performed the soul-meld.
Oh, and the crystal! I am getting as careless as Zur. Look for a glowing crystal. The Overseer placed it in the machine to power the device."

Place the crystal and insert the rods, got it. This will separate the two of you? "Ah, well, in a manner of speaking. Understand that Zur and I do not have two separate bodies to return to. But if this works, the soul-meld won't kill the both of us."

So what happens to you? "The magic will separate the intertwined strands of our souls, but only one of us will survive the process.
Do not be dismayed. We rejoice at a chance for one of us to survive. Go on ahead. We will meet you inside momentarily."

Can I ask a few questions? [?]