I welcome you to the Brotherhood of Seth, %pcn. Word of your inquiries
concerning the Crypt of Hearts has come to my attention. I am Halfas
Varn, senior Brother in this temple. I would gladly help you on your quest,
but dire times are upon us. One of our brethren, Barnabas of Tethis, went
mad, raving that the Emperor had been captured! He insisted that only
something called the Staff of Chaos could free the Emperor from his fate.
Naturally we did not believe him, he was ever one live in fanciful dreams.
Instead, we tried our best to soothe him, talking to him of brighter, happier
things. We thought he was fine.
Yesterday afternoon he went berserk and killed Brother Martinus, then fled
from the temple. With him he took a scroll that he claimed would help him
find a piece of the missing so-called Staff of Chaos. I fear he has gone to
the Mines of Khuras, the place where he claimed the map said he would
find his first clue. What he doesn't realized is that the map he carries was
originally found in the Mines. Part of the inscription on the map is a code
that we planned to use to decipher the location of the Crypt of Hearts from
the Elder Scrolls. Without that map, we haven't a chance. If only there was
a way of recovering the map, but the Mines of Khuras are too dangerous.
Poor Brother Barnabas has surely perished by now. I will tell you how to
get to the Mines. There you can search for the map, or Brother Barnabas.
I think it unlikely that you will find either, but there is always a slim
chance. If you return to me with the map, I will tell you the location of
the Crypt of Hearts. It is a fool's errand, but such is your only hope.
Do you wish to search the Mines?&
I had thought you would decline, faced with the danger of the mines.
Lava pools and fire pits are scattered throughout its scorched corridors. You
must find something to protect you from the heat of its fires. Hopefully
you will find both Brother Barnabus and the map. No matter, the Mines of
Khuras are located near Camlorn. If you find the map, return here to the
Brotherhood of Seth. I will tell you the location of the Crypt of Hearts...
Brother Halfas gestures and you see on your map the location of the Mines
of Khuras magically appear...&
I understand, for I had named it rightly, a fool's errand. Brother
Barnabas is long gone, and I've heard the Mines are treacherous, even
were you a legendary Dwarf! You are wiser than I thought. Still, should
you change your mind and wish to search the fiery Mines, I will be here.
Simply ask about the Crypt of Hearts and I will be sent for. Fare thee
well, %pcn...
Brother Halfas smiles good-naturedly, then retires to his desk, leafing
through his work with patience...&
I see you are still interested in the Mines of Khuras. I still think you are one
of wishful thinking, but if you are interested, I will point out its location. If
you do manage somehow to recover the map, bring it here and I will tell
you the location of the Crypt of Hearts. Do you wish to explore the Mines?&
Unbelievable! I did not credit you with the tenacity you obviously possess.
For my part, I gave my word to tell you the location of the Crypt of Hearts,
and Gods do not suffer men whose words carry no weight. Hold a moment
while I read this map...
Brother Halfas takes the map you recovered and goes into another room.
Almost an hour goes by before he returns. He nods knowingly to you and
then asks for your map. Quickly he sketches out the location of the Crypt
of Hearts, somewhere in High Rock Province...&
I am not surprised, the Mines of Khuras are complex and supposedly
unending. Brother Barnabas could be anywhere in there. Though it seems a
daunting task, you may want to use what you've learned of the Mines to
better prepare. Remember, few have entered the Mines, but fewer still have
ever returned. You are welcome to return to me if you ever find the map...
Brother Halfas bows once and walks back to his study, where he turns his
full attention to his work...&
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