The Face Stealer

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Description

High level Temple Quest from Almas Thirr.

The player is told to report to an Ordinator outside a small-ish town in the Sacred Lands (choose one that needs some quest love). The Ordinator (who wears no helm) explains to the character that they are hunting a Daedra only known as the Face Stealer, that has been stealing souls and using them in various profane rituals and enchantments. The Ordinator asks the player to escort them to the creature's lair and help kill it.

The lair is half Daedric ruin, half cave, with various ritual implements scattered around. It should also be filled with cultists, dead and alive, who have the bodies of one race but the heads of another (See this asset request: http://tamriel-rebuilt.org/asset/faceless-ordinator-and-other-beasties). They finally come to the last room that is locked. The Ordinator explains to the player that they managed to seal the Face Stealer into this room, which has no lights. Since the Face Stealer will not be able to see the player, their power will be severely limited. The Ordinator tells the player he/she must kill them in the darkness to prevent them from stealing their face.

The room on the other side of the door should be completely dark, and preferrably resistant to such spells as Night-Eye and Light. Someone in there forcegreets the player a few steps in: "Wait! Hold your weapons! I am (Ordinator name), the real (Ordinator name) as ordained by Almalexia herself! That man out there...he is the true Face Stealer! Surely he believed you would strike me down before the truth would be revealed in this thrice-cursed darkness..." (or something similar)

This Ordinator is faceless, and explains how the Face Stealer had tricked him by masquerading as one of the villagers, much like how the Face Stealer tricked the player. He has a plan, though desparate, telling the player to take his Ordinator mask and wear it while fighting the Face Stealer, saying that being confronted with Nerevar's holy visage may confuse the Daedra long enough to kill it.

The player leaves the room. The Face Stealer will attack on sight. If the player wears the helm, the Face Stealer also gains a Ordinator-like head and is severely weakened. The Daedra may also say something referencing that this works partly because the player is Nerevar's Incarnate, so it's not just the mask hurting it. If the player doesn't wear the helm, the Face Stealer casts powerful Drain and 100% Blind spells on the player. (It is okay, even intended, if this means the player dies).

Once the Face Stealer is dead, the player can return to the dark room to tell the Ordinator the deed is done. The Ordinator thanks the player, but asks if they could have their helmet back to hide their own terrible visage. He only hopes a Temple priest can restore his face to normal. Once he gets his helmet, the Ordinator asks the player to escort them to the nearest Temple, being as they are also blinded and cannot see the way themselves. At the Temple the player is given a 500 gold reward and a magical item for a reward.

Related Claims/Asset Requests:
http://tamriel-rebuilt.org/asset/faceless-ordinator-and-other-beasties
http://tamriel-rebuilt.org/claims/face-stealers-lair

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Comments

OK, here's the first draft of

MacBone's picture

OK, here's the first draft of the dialogue and journals.  I'd love any comments or suggestions about improving it

 

Nice work! A couple of ideas

Brzm's picture

Nice work! A couple of ideas that came to mind while reading: add a little inconsistency between the dialogue of the questgiver or even the villagers and the fake ordinator to suggest the player something isn't quite right, maybe about past tasks or background; some investigation/research in (temple?) libraries to know more about the Daedra in question; this way cunning and thorough players could be able to uncover the scam earlier. Second, isn't the whole helm thing too complicated? My suggestion would be for greedy players who want the helm right here right now to fight for it (and kill the guy in the process), while the pious/patient should get it as a reward after escorting the ordinator back. This would also play well with the "ordinator's armor is sacred" trope, pieces of it should be bestowed upon the player, not just gifted.   my 2 drakes

I do think asking for the

Kevaar's picture

I do think asking for the helmet like its a souvenir is really weird...and seeing as how the Ordinator would not want to give it up because its what hides his disfigurement, I'm not sure it's really an appropriate reward? What may be better is giving the player the gauntlets and boots, actually, since there's already a quest in vanilla that gives you the helm and cuirass. Then the player could collect the whole set!

Thanks for the feedback!  Yes

MacBone's picture

Thanks for the feedback!  Yes, good idea about the dialogue.  I'll see if I can tweak it a bit and make it seem like something is off. 

Good point about fighting for the helm.  Even if the player's Speechcraft is high, it does seem dubious that the Ordinator would give up his helm.  I'll take that part out.

This is the level of detail

Mortimer's picture

This is the level of detail quest claims should have, very very well done. My only gripes are minor, except one.

Are speechcraft checks for dialogue things we should do? I don't think there are any instances of that in the base game (which renders speechcraft useless, really), and I'm not entirely opposed to the idea, but I wonder if having a single quest having a speechcraft check would weird.

Of course this quest is still waiting on assets and an int to be made, but once those are finished this will be quite the quest.

There are speechcraft checks

Rot's picture

There are speechcraft checks in TR, no issue with them on optional choices or when there are alternatives,
it should be much better worded than " I think the helm would be a good souvenir of the quest " though, and not just because of the word 'quest'... could also vary the speechcraft check difficulty and try something about it having been desacrated by the face stealer's use?
I do think the ordinator would ask that the player not wear it even if they accept.

Or I could just take out the

MacBone's picture

Or I could just take out the bit about the Ordinator's helm?  Initially I thought about a third option between just killing the Ordinator for the helm and giving it back at the end of the adventure.  It would make a nice memento of the quest (I love to hoard quest items).  However, having it desecrated by the Face Stealer is something we could add as a plausible reason the Ordinator would return the helm.

Hi! I'm new  here so take my

VarangainBard's picture

Hi! I'm new  here so take my opinions with a grain of salt, but:
1. Is it really neccesary to have back and forth dialogue between the real ordinator and the PC when they first meet? He could just tell the player his side of the story, and if the you decide not  to believe him you could just attack after exiting  dialogue like normal. If the back and forth is neccesary, then there shouldn't be an option to kill him before he tells you the trick about the helmet. That would just be mean to the player if they died without a way of knowing that.  Maybe have a note on  his body expaining the helmet? Also, maybe as an additonal topic of conversation you could ask how the daedra caught him  with his helmet off.
2. Everything everyone else has said about the closed helmet option
3. Don't be so blunt about the PC being Neverar incarnate, since you don't know where the player is on the main quest. Hint at it with  something like  "I knew I sensed something about you!"
4. Maybe the temple doesn't know how to heal him? segue into another quest maybe...?

Hi!  Welcome!  I'm new, too.

MacBone's picture

Hi!  Welcome!  I'm new, too.  =)

I see what you mean about the PC not being sure and killing the Ordinator.  I did want there to be an element of choice and consequence, but yes, the player probably needs more information before making the decision.  

Good point about the Face Stealer being so blunt about the Incarnate.  I'll revise that bit.

Another quest sounds great!  What does the TR team think?  I can leave it open-ended at the end where they will try to heal the Ordinator.  That way, if someone wants to add another quest, they can pick up where this one leaves off.

The Face Stealer dialogue and

MacBone's picture

The Face Stealer dialogue and journal entries version 1.1

I've updated the dialogue to remove the part about fetching a closed helm.  The Ordinator asks to wear the helm back to the temple and then returns it to the player.  The Ordinator asks the player not to wear the helm.  I've edited the Face Stealer's dialogue slightly to say he hopes to be posted at Sheoth one day.  (I'm not too sure about using Sheoth as it's a reference to The Shivering Isles.  Thoughts on this?)  Also, I changed his original suggestion so that he asks the player to help him fight the Face Stealer, and when they get to the room, he changes the plan and asks the player to go in alone to kill the supposed Daedra.
 

I also varied the checks so that the PC had an easier time of using Speechcraft if they are Temple.  Also, at the end the Ordinator is not healed in case someone wants to create a follow-up quest.

Quest Giver

Orders

We’ve had reports of townsfolk disappearing in <town name>. Report to an Ordinator, Idroaes Othren [or some other name], in <town name> and assist him.

Results:

Journal _MB_TFS_ANT 1

 

NPC: Idroaes Othren (Face Stealer), Race: Dunmer, Class: Ordinator, Gender: Male

[Note: This Ordinator wears no helm.]

Background: (Before Quest Completion)

If Disposition < 75

There's no time for idle talk. We must kill this Daedra before it claims more lives.

If Disposition >= 75 or If Disposition >= 60 and player is a member of the Temple

My background? I've been posted in this backwater town for what seems like eternity. Perhaps one day I’ll be posted somewhere interesting, like Sheoth. Or Necrom.

Latest Rumors:

Lately, several citizens have disappeared from [another town name]. I have been investigating why.

Little Secret:

I’ve no time for sharing secrets with you, %PCRace. I have a Daedra to destroy.

My Trade:

I am an Ordinator. We are charged to uphold the law in Morrowind, kill heretics, and deal with rogue Daedra.

 

NPC: Idroaes Othren (Face Stealer)

Greeting 1:

Citizen, I require your assistance! I am hunting a Daedra, called the Face Stealer, and I could use another strong arm.

%PCRank, I require your assistance! I am hunting a Daedra, called the Face Stealer, and I could use another strong arm. (if Temple)

Results:

Quest Topic: The Face Stealer

The Daedra is known as the Face Stealer. It steals the souls of its victims and uses them in profane rituals and enchantments, leaving its victims faceless as a result. I need you to escort me to the creature's lair and help me kill it. Otherwise, its depredations will continue. We must send it back to Oblivion.

Results:

Choice: "Sure, I'd be happy to assist you." 1 "Sorry, I’d rather not get involved." 2

If Choice == 1

Journal _MB_TFS_ANT 2

Excellent, %PCRace. We’ll finish it off together. It's not far. [Directions needed to the cave.]

Excellent, %PCRank. With the two of us fighting it together, it can’t trick us. It's not far. [Directions needed to the cave.] (if Temple)

If Choice == 2

Jounal _MB_TFS_ANT 3

No? You refuse an officer of the Temple? Disappointing. You looked like you were made of sterner stuff, %PCRace.

No? You would refuse an Ordinator? I expected more from a %PCRank. (if Temple)

Greeting 2: (Journal 1)

What are you waiting for, %PCRace? We need to find the Face Stealer and destroy it.

What are you waiting for, %PCRank? We need to find the Face Stealer and destroy it. (if Temple)

Greeting 3: (Journal 2)

Have you had a change of heart, %PCRace? Are you ready to help me kill the Face Stealer?

Have you reconsidered, %PCRank? Will you help me kill the Face Stealer? (if Temple)

Choice: “I’ve decide to help you after all.” 1 “No, I’d rather not hunt down the Daedra just now.” 2

If Choice == 1

Good to hear you changed your mind, %PCRank. It’s not far from here. [Directions to cave.] (if Temple)

Finally. Let’s get moving, %PCRace. It’s not far from here. [Directions to cave.]

Results:

Journal _MB_TFS_ANT 4

If Choice == 2

A coward, are you? Very well. Move along, then.

Results:

Goodbye

Greeting 4: (Journal 4)

[Same as Journal 2]

(Once the player gets near the final room.)

[As the player advances through the cave, they will encounter different cultists with the bodies of one race and the head of another race.]

Journal _MB_TFS_ANT 5

[When the PC gets close to the final room, the Face Stealer will forcegreet the PC.]

Greeting 4: (Journal 5)

We’re just outside the final room. I was able to seal the Face Stealer in the room beyond that door. Inside it is pitch-black, and since the Daedra won’t be able to see you, its power will be severely limited. You must kill it in the darkness so it cannot steal your face.

Results:

Choice: “Didn’t you say you were coming in with me?” 3 “Any final words of advice?” 4

If Choice == 3

No, this way is better. If we both go in, it could try to turn us against each other. In case it manages to slip past you or kill you, I will finish it off.

Results:

Goodbye

If Choice == 4

It may try to trick you. Stop up your ears and decapitate it, else it goes free to continue its killing.

Results:

Goodbye

[Once the player enters the room, the player is forcegreeted by the real Ordinator.]

 

 

NPC: The real Ordinator, Idroaes Othren, Race: Dunmer, Class: Ordinator, Gender: Male

Quest Topic: The Face Stealer (Journals 2 + 4)

Forcegreeting

Wait! Stay your hand! I am Idroaes Othren, the real Idroaes Othren as ordained by Almalexia herself! That man out there – he is the true Face Stealer! He must have thought you would kill me in this darkness before you guessed the truth!

Results

Choice: “You’re lying. How do I know you’re telling the truth?” 5 “OK, I’m listening. How did this happen?” 6 “The Ordinator told me not to trust you. Prepare to die!” 8

If Choice == 5

I’m not lying! If I were the Face Stealer, wouldn’t I have tried to steal your soul by now? Now listen to me!

Results:

Choice: “OK, I’m listening. How did this happen?” 6 “I won’t believe your lies. Die, abomination!” 8

If Choice == 6

The Face Stealer tricked me by masquerading as one of the villagers. He said he had discovered a strange cult in this cave and asked me to come investigate it. He led me to this room and told me he had seen a strange Daedra inside. I entered and found nothing, and when I left the room, he ambushed me.

Results:

“Continue” 7

If Choice == 7:

He took my face from me, and now I am trapped here, just like his other victims.

Here, take my helmet. It bears the image of Nerevar’s holy visage. If you wear it when you fight the Face Stealer, the Daedra may be confused long enough for you to kill it.

Journal _MB_TFS_ANT 6

If Choice == 8:

You’re making an enormous mistake! I will not fight you, but if you attack me, I will destroy you!

Results:

Goodbye

If the player flees:

Journal _MB_TFS_ANT 7

If the player kills Idroaes Othren:

Journal _MB_TFS_ANT 8

[When the player exits the room, the real Face Stealer will attack. If the player is wearing Idroaes Othren’s helm, the Face Stealer will Forcegreet the player.]

Forcegreeting

You . . . that helm! I thought I sensed something different about you. Could you actually be - ? No matter! I will take your face as well!”

[The Face Stealer will attack at this point with a powerful attack that blinds and could potentially kill the player. If the player is wearing the mask, it is badly scarred, but the player is safe from the attack.]

Results:

Goodbye

[After the player kills the Face Stealer]

Journal _MB_TFS_ANT 9

[After the player kills the Face Stealer, they can return to the dark room to report the Face Stealer’s death.]

Greeting 1

Have you killed the Face Stealer yet? The village will not be safe until the Daedra is banished to Oblivion.

Greeting 2 (Journal 9)

The Face Stealer is finally killed, thanks to your actions. You have performed a great deed for us all. Now, return to me my helm so I can hide my horribly disfigured face. Perhaps a Temple priest can restore my appearance.

Results:

“Sure, here you are.” 9 “I think I’ll keep your helmet, actually.” 10 [Speechcraft] “Didn’t the Face Stealer desecrate your helm? Would you consider giving it to me as a memento of my service?”11

If Choice == 9

Thank you, sera. [Puts on helm.] Now, escort me to the nearest Temple. A priest there may be able to restore my face. [Directions to nearest Temple] When the Face Stealer stole my face, I was blinded, and I now cannot see the way myself.

Journal _MB_TFS_ANT 10

[Once at the Temple, Idroaes Othren stops following the player.]

Greeting 3 (Journal 10)

You have my thanks, outlander. Now we shall see if my injuries can be healed. Here, take this. I pray that these small gifts will aid you on your travels.

You have my thanks, %PCRank. Now we shall see if my injuries can be healed. Here, take this. I hope these small tokens of my gratitude will aid you in your journey. (if Temple)

Results:

Player->AddItem “Gold_001” 500

Player->AddItem [magic item]

Journal _MB_TFS_ANT 12

If Choice == 10

ModDisposition -40

What? Then I will take it by force!

Goodbye

[The Ordinator will attack at this point, and the player’s options are either to kill him or escape.]

[If the PC escapes]

Journal _MB_TFS_ANT 20

[If the PC kills Idroaes Othren]

Journal _MB_TFS_ANT 25

If Choice == 11

If Speechcraft < 70 or If Speechcraft < 60 and Temple member

Desecrated or not, an Ordinator’s armor is still sacred. It will be smelted down, purified by fire and water. Now, will you take me to the temple so that I can be healed?

Results:

“Sure, here you are.” 9 “I think I’ll keep your helmet, actually.” 10

If Choice == 11

If Speechcraft >= 70 or if Speechcraft >= 60 and Temple member

Well, it is rather unusual, but you did perform a great service in destroying the Face Stealer. All right, you may keep my helm, but you must never wear it. It would still be profane, and any Ordinator would attack you on sight.

Now, let me wear it until you escort me to a temple. My face is too horrifying to be seen by others. [Directions to nearest Temple] When the Face Stealer stole my face, I was blinded, and I cannot see the way myself.

Results:

 

Of course. Here you go.

[The player returns the helm to Idroaes Othren.]

Journal _MB_TFS_ANT 11

[Once at the Temple, Idroaes Othren stops following the player.]

Greeting 4 (Journal 11)

You have my thanks, outlander. I hope that the priests will be able to restore my sight and heal my visage. Now, here is my helm as promised. Remember, do not wear it. Even though it has been desecrated, it is still holy. Now, Almsivi watch over you on your travels.

Journal _MB_TFS_ANT 13

You have my thanks, %PCRank. Now, I will see if the prients can restore my sight and undo the damage that the Face Stealer did to my countenance. Here is my helm as promised. Remember, although it has been desecrated, it is still holy, so do not dishonor it by wearing it. May Almsivi guide you on your journeys. (if Temple)

Journal _MB_TFS_ANT 13

 

 

 

Journal Entries

Journal Entry 0: The Face Stealer (Quest Name)

Journal Entry 1:

I’ve been told to report to <town name> and assist an Ordinator, Idroaes Othren, there.

Journal Entry 2:

I’ve agreed to help Idroaes Othren kill the Face Stealer, a Daedra that steals the souls of its victims. To get to the cave where it is hiding, I need to [directions to cave].

Journal Entry 3:

I’ve decided not to get involved in the hunt for the Face Stealer, a Daedra that steals the souls of its victims.

Journal Entry 4:

I’ve changed my mind and have agreed to accompany Idroaes Othren to kill the Face Stealer. To get to its cave, I need to [directions to cave].

Journal Entry 5:

The cave was filled with bizarre transformations, people with the bodies of one race and the heads of completely different races. They seemed to be the result of the Face Stealer’s mad rituals.

Journal Entry 6:

I arrived at the room where the Face Stealer was supposedly trapped, but inside, a Dunmer who claimed to be the real Idroaes Othren greeted me. He said the Ordinator I had met was the true Face Stealer. Idroaes Othren gave me his helm and said to wear it while fighting the Face Stealer. It may confuse the Daedra and allow me to kill it.

Journal Entry 7:

Just as Idroaes Othren said, the Daedra tried to trick me. I retreated for the moment, but something does not seem right about all this.

Journal Entry 8:

Just as Idroaes Othren said, the Face Stealer tried to trick me, but I cut the Daedra down. Still, something does not seem right about all this.

Journal Entry 9:

I slew the Face Stealer. I should return to Idroaes Othren to report the deed.

Journal Entry 10:

Indroaes Othren was blinded when his visage was stolen by the Face Stealer. He needs me to return him to a Temple so that a priest can attempt to restore his face. [Directions to nearest Temple]

Journal Entry 11:

Indroaes Othren was blinded and horribly disfigured when his visage was stolen by the Face Stealer. He allowed me to keep his Indoril helmet as a gift, but I first need to escort him to a temple while he wears the helm. [Directions to nearest Temple]

Journal Entry 12: (Quest Finished)

I escorted Indroaes Othren back to a temple, where he hopes to be cured. He rewarded me with five hundred septims and a [magic item].

Journal Entry 13: (Quest Finished)

I escorted Indroaes Othren back to a temple, where he hopes to be cured.  In gratitude, he allowed me to keep his Indoril helmet, but he asked me not to wear it, since doing so would still be profane, despite the helm's desecration.

Journal Entry 20: (Quest finished)

I decided to keep Indroaes Othren’s helm, but he attacked me at once. I escaped. I wonder if he ever escaped from that cave.

Journal Entry 25: (Quest finished)

I decided to keep Indroaes Othren’s helm, and when he attacked me, I slew him.

Bumping this (I hope that's

MacBone's picture

Bumping this (I hope that's ok).  

Based on my second draft of the dialogue, what else needs to be added or changed?

Looks good, only thing I'd

Kevaar's picture

Looks good, only thing I'd suggest is adding a sentence or two when the Ordinator first talks about the Face Stealer, saying it got this name because it literally steals faces. But, that might not be necessary, given that the dungeon will have weird faceless creatures in it.

Done!  I've amended the quest

MacBone's picture

Done!  I've amended the quest topic Face Stealer to add that bit of information:  "It steals the souls of its victims and uses them in profane rituals and enchantments, leaving its victims faceless as a result."

Anything else?  =)