Boethiah quest in Morrowind

Post » Fri Mar 11, 2016 9:44 am


I've been thinking about making mod which enhances Boethiah quest in Morrowind. But I can't wrap my head about certain elements of the original quest:


- The shrine of Boethiah is eventually built in a place which has strong ties with the Orcs and can be considered sacred to them:



"It was originally a large rock formation that was made famous when Khartag, a well known Orc warrior, died there after a battle. It became something of a monument to the Orcs, and its notoriety increased when another Orc was dared to jump off the cliffside, leading to his own demise." (http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Khartag_Point)



So, why Khartag Point? Is there a connection with Boethiah corrupting Trinimak into Malakath, thus causing the appearance of the Orcs? Is it a continuation of the old feud or a sign of truce between Malakath and Boethiah?



- The shrine is built by an Orc. And the location is chosen by this Orc, not by Boethiah. Again - is there a connection with Trinimak/Malakath?



- And then the reward - the sword Goldbrand which, as Yagrum Bagarn's book explains, was created by the dragons of the North and given to a great knight who was sworn to protect the dragons." Why? What is the connection between Boethiah and the dragons of the North?



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Tamara Primo
 
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Post » Thu Mar 10, 2016 9:19 pm

A great dragon like Akatosh/Auriel, perhaps? I wouldn't rule out that the knight it was first given to was Trinimac himself. She took the sword from him after defeating him and transfiguring his people. Getting an Orc to build the shrine is probably just more salt in the wound.



Remember that Malacath/Trinimac cut out Lorkhan's heart (with Goldbrand?), and that Boethiah greatly admired Lorkhan. Trinimac/Malacath also stood in the way of Boethiah leading the Chimer to Morrowind, to set up a culture based on Lorkhanic principles. This is a lasting grudge, and Boethiah probably holds a special derision just for Malacath, who is not only her enemy but is weak besides (she hates weakness and meekness, and he is the Prince of the Spurned and Ostracised). There's probably no revenge too extreme, and no small malice too petty for her to resist inflicting on him and his followers. They are diametrically opposed to one another mythically and philosophically, and though they are beings of Change their spheres are, as far as we know, immutable.

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Rachael Williams
 
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Post » Thu Mar 10, 2016 8:13 pm

Thank you, I really like this idea! :)





I agree that the revenge theory seems likely. However it's not Boethiah who asks to build the shrine on Khartag Point - it's the orc sculptor who chooses the location.



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Adam
 
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Post » Thu Mar 10, 2016 8:55 pm

Just because he's an Orc, doesn't mean he follows Malacath or holds anything against Boethiah.
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A Dardzz
 
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Post » Fri Mar 11, 2016 10:02 am

The Orc sculptor didn't seem that religious. He probably just choose the khartag point because he was familiar with it and thought it would be a good spot for a statue.
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louise tagg
 
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Post » Fri Mar 11, 2016 8:36 am

Yes, it seems to be just a coincidence. Unfortunately. :)


It's very tempting to tie this whole quest with Boethiah's history with Malakath. Especially since the reward in this quest is Golbrand - supposedly former Trinimac's blade.

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Jonathan Windmon
 
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Post » Fri Mar 11, 2016 1:23 am

I wonder what happened to get the old shrine to Boethiah that far... um, out of the way. Also, Boethiah was an important Daedra to the Dunmer even after the formation of the Tribunal, so why did they never rebuild the shrine themselves?
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Janine Rose
 
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Post » Thu Mar 10, 2016 11:17 pm




If I'm not mistaken, the old shrine was destroyed by an earthquake.



As for why it hasn't been rebuilt:



I think Temple sees actual veneration of Anticipations as archaic and unnecessary. The logic is probably "why would someone want to venerate an anticipation of a god when you can venerate the god himself instead?"



Also we should remember that Vvardenfell has been closed for ages and became opened for settlement only in 3E 414, while the game events happen in 3E 427. So it has been only 13 years - at this point none probably had time or resources to rebuild the Boethiah shrine. I bet none even remembered that it existed.

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sara OMAR
 
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Post » Fri Mar 11, 2016 12:51 am

Actually, the lack of Boethiah presence in MW is one of the reasons I stated working on a mod which enhances the Boethiah quest.


I mean: it was Boethiah who revenged Lorkhan by offing Trinimac, inspired Veloth, founded Chimer/Dunmer nation, etc, etc... Because of her ties to Lorkhan Boethiah is often called on this forum "the biggest Lorkhan's fan" and even speculated to be the same to Lorkhan as Kyne was to Shor. Yet when it comes to what is going on with Lorkhan's Heart - she is totally silent and indifferent. Why? Shouldn't she show at least some interest?
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Alisha Clarke
 
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