Questions to ask Lawrence Schick

Selique · April 2016

My Question:

What rank Assassin leads a single Sanctuary in the Dark Brotherhood? I've heard everything from Listener, Speaker, "Master Assassin" and all manner of other ranks. Finding solid lore for this era, as well as others is quite tricky... Wiki's, UESP, Games, and such have all offered various hints and vague suggestions, but no real proof. I want something more than an esoteric dialog from an NPC three games back.

How does it *really* work? Would help in some Roleplays I take part in!

Lettigall · April 2016

My question! Have there been occasion when some horny mage summoned Dark Seducer or Golden Saint for sexual purposes?

Elder_III · April 2016

Lettigall wrote: »

My question! Have there been occasion when some horny mage summoned Dark Seducer or Golden Saint for sexual purposes?

Only the ones named John Wayne Bobbitt.

Dissentinel · April 2016

phaneub17_ESO wrote: »

Can Argonians breed with any other race? Yes my mind went there!

They can mate with the other races, but they cannot produce offspring by them. I recommend you read "Notes on Racial Phylogeny". If you can't find it in-game, look it up on uesp.net

JD2013 · April 2016

What is the status of the College of Winterhold and indeed the town of Winterhold in 2E 582?

ZunaRoath · April 2016

Hello Loremaster Lawrence! I got a few questions about Nords and the Ebonheart Pact.

- Nords are followers of Kyne, we all know that, and I personally love how it is. But... How do they worship her? I mean, the Dunmer pray to the Tribunal in front of small statues, and things like that. Is there any special way to worship Kyne? Could you say one or two prays that the Nords would do to Kyne? (Yes, I saw when you did it in ESO Live and loved it, but more like... for RP).
- Lore says that the trees around Kynesgrove are sacred, but to what point? Like... How far from Kynesgrove would a tree stop being sacred to Kyne? You shouldn't harm those trees, right?
- Do non Pact races have to run through a test or something to join the Ebonheart Pact? We see an Orc in the Pact sewers, but to what point can they join? Because they can perfectly be Dominion or Covenant spies.
- In game we see that as you advance in PvP you've Imperial named ranks, no matter your alliance, also there are a few NPCs in the lands that have those ranks too (Like a Centurion in Riften). Why does the Ebonheart Pact have Imperial ranks rather than more sounding "Pactish" ranks?
- Are there any references in where someone could learn Dovahzul without being a Dragonborn and all that?
- I roleplay a Pact Legate and Pact guard, but sometimes we have many troubles with criminals, because they say that what they did is not a crime. Could you mention a few criminal activities appart from murder and thievery that are an actual crime in Pact lands? For example, necromancy, vampirism, lycanthropy... Also, even if the Pact is an alliance between three lands, the laws of those lands are still there, right? If for example necromancy is illegal in Skyrim, a Dunmer makes necromancy in Skyrim, she's doing a crime, as it is illegal in those lands.
- Have had a few talks with people about this... Could a Pact soldier join the Mages Guild if they would say that they would act neutral while in Mages Guild missions? This means, being neutral as group, but still be of an alliance as individual.
- How are Nords as racist in ESO? In Skyrim we see that a few are very racist, but in ESO they seem to be more accepting, right? Could you explain this with some examples?

I think that is all. Thanks ^^

KhajiitiLizard · April 2016

WhiteCoatSyndrome wrote: »

Why does Almalexia disprove of levitation magic?

Because in TESIII: Tribunal, Mournhold is a walled city... and since the actual location of the city in the game world was surrounded by nothing... levitation magic was disabled for gameplay reasons so that you could not fly out of the city into an endless void. However when you go into the sewers or other areas under the city it works.

captainwolfos · April 2016

Selique wrote: »

My Question:

What rank Assassin leads a single Sanctuary in the Dark Brotherhood? I've heard everything from Listener, Speaker, "Master Assassin" and all manner of other ranks. Finding solid lore for this era, as well as others is quite tricky... Wiki's, UESP, Games, and such have all offered various hints and vague suggestions, but no real proof. I want something more than an esoteric dialog from an NPC three games back.

How does it *really* work? Would help in some Roleplays I take part in!

In Oblivion, Ocheeva was Executioner rank, according to the Wiki. That's the highest non-Black Hand rank in the Dark Brotherhood (and incidentally the one rank the Champion skips on becoming Lucien's Silencer).

elias.stormneb18_ESO · April 2016

What does the Aldmeri word "Aur", or "Auri", mean? It is present in so many names, most prominently "Aurbis". I've been wondering this for a very long time and I would love to get some kind of answer.

Armitas · April 2016

If an Argonian dragon knight has to travel from wrothgar to craglorn on foot he first has to travel halfway there. Then a quarter of the way there and then an 1/8th of the way on to infinity. So the Argonian has to travel an infinite set of distances before he can reach craglorn. So how does the argonian reach craglorn, is distance an illusion, and will dark brotherhood be cool? Dew it fer science.

Asherons_Call · April 2016

why do so many guards have knee problems?

Justice31st · April 2016

Why did her lore summaries increase my loading screens?

Gidorick · April 2016

Some questions for the Loremaster:

What happens to an Argonian if they, for whatever reason, don't participate in Naming Day and never consume Hist sap?
All across Tamriel we find examples of people who live lives contrary to their culture. That makes me wonder, has there ever been an instance of a slode adventurer?
In lore, all the Dovahkiin seem to have been Men. Is there a reason Mer or Beast have not been identified as the Dragonborn?
Can we FINALLY put the Dragonbreak question to rest? Does ESO take place during a Dragonbreak?
The Fence very clearly has a narrative through the Thieves Guild quest line... but what about the Merchant and the Banker. What's their story? Why are they magically summonable? Why are the same people summonable by everyone? Is there any lore explanation or justification for them?

dodgehopper_ESO · April 2016

WhiteCoatSyndrome wrote: »

What racial abilities do the Maormer and the Kothringi have?

I bet the Maormer have +cold damage/+poison damage, +magicka, +poison resist, +cold resist. Then again with Orgnum's scales who knows they might be a more tanky race with +health instead of magicka, and a strong +health regen.

I have no idea what Kothringi would have, all I know is that it doesn't include disease resistance.

dodgehopper_ESO · April 2016

Gidorick wrote: »

Some questions for the Loremaster:
What happens to an Argonian if they, for whatever reason, don't participate in Naming Day and never consume Hist sap?

All across Tamriel we find examples of people who live lives contrary to their culture. That makes me wonder, has there ever been an instance of a slode adventurer?

In lore, all the Dovahkiin seem to have been Men. Is there a reason Mer or Beast have not been identified as the Dragonborn?

Can we FINALLY put the Dragonbreak question to rest? Does ESO take place during a Dragonbreak?

I get a kick out of your Sload adventurer stuff. It actually makes me want to play a skinny slug as you drew in that image of yours, with the fat sload and skinny adventuring outcast.

dodgehopper_ESO · April 2016

Gidorick wrote: »

Some questions for the Loremaster:
What happens to an Argonian if they, for whatever reason, don't participate in Naming Day and never consume Hist sap?

All across Tamriel we find examples of people who live lives contrary to their culture. That makes me wonder, has there ever been an instance of a slode adventurer?

In lore, all the Dovahkiin seem to have been Men. Is there a reason Mer or Beast have not been identified as the Dragonborn?

Can we FINALLY put the Dragonbreak question to rest? Does ESO take place during a Dragonbreak?

I'm not Schick obviously, but my own gut feeling on the Dov issue is that Shor really beat Auriel, in a strategic sense. Auriel didn't walk away as Auriel anymore, but rather Akatosh, and in so doing became something of them both. That's just my gut feeling on the matter. This probably explains also why the Red Diamond is man's and not mer's. This is why the Emperor is Alessia, Reman, and Tiber. This are my guesses anyways.

I do think there might be something going on different though outside of Tamriel. The Akaviri Tiger-Men have a dragon-tiger as their king, with a 'great many new ideas'. I think it quite possible that there are at least in Akavir some Dovakhiin that aren't human. Maybe.

Gidorick · April 2016

dodgehopper_ESO wrote: »

Gidorick wrote: »

Some questions for the Loremaster:
What happens to an Argonian if they, for whatever reason, don't participate in Naming Day and never consume Hist sap?

All across Tamriel we find examples of people who live lives contrary to their culture. That makes me wonder, has there ever been an instance of a slode adventurer?

In lore, all the Dovahkiin seem to have been Men. Is there a reason Mer or Beast have not been identified as the Dragonborn?

Can we FINALLY put the Dragonbreak question to rest? Does ESO take place during a Dragonbreak?

I get a kick out of your Sload adventurer stuff. It actually makes me want to play a skinny slug as you drew in that image of yours, with the fat sload and skinny adventuring outcast.

heh... I like it too.

I made it as a goof but then ended up really liking it.

AshTal · April 2016

Wreuntzylla wrote: »

How did the Argonians force the daedra to close many of their gates during the oblivion crisis, which no other race could do, with such awful racial passives?

On the top of my list other questions

What did Queen Ayrenn do on her travels?
How did the take over the imperial city so easily?
How does the Tharn dynasty recover after their betrayal of all mortals during the soul burst?
Argonain's born away from the hist are different but what is the exact releationship between Argonian's and the Hist and given their enslavement how many are born away from the hist?
Are the Tribunal really the embodiment of the good deadra?

steff127b16_ESO · April 2016

I have a question: We know about a lot of the vampire tribes in the various lands.. but what about the summerset isles? Are there any distinctive clans? If so, what are their powers? How do they 'fit' in with the general society? (I guess Altmer with all their spells would pretty soon sniff them out or something)

idk · April 2016

The devs have a thread for just this. No need for this one.

Robbmrp · April 2016

My question for Mr. Schick has to do with Dolmens and Molag attempt to take over Tamriel. Are there any plans in the future to add in more Daedra infiltrating Tamriel or any changes made to Dolmens to actually give people a reason to do them outside of Cyrodil for Siege weapons?

There needs to be some kind of progression with the dolmens. Consequences should be made for those who ignore the Dolmen anchors coming down. If no one clears them, why not send out a flying Daedric Titan to wreak havoc across Tamriel? Do something with them, do anything with them, just update them with something new!

These Titans could be similar to the new world bosses in Orsinium and in general, no way to defeat them without a decent group of players working as a team.

bryanhaas · April 2016

WhiteCoatSyndrome wrote: »

As an aside, if any of you are going to PAX, feel free to steal any questions I list here.
Can vampirism be contracted by animals—rats, deer, and so on? If so why are these never encountered?

Where can I find the best chocolate in Tamriel?

When and why did the Celestial Mage stop being depicted as female and start being depicted as male?

Does High King Emeric have any children?

How was raw Stalhrim made?

For the Akaviri, what is the post-hyphen-name for (example: Savirien-CHORAK, Versidue-SHAIE) since it doesn't seem to be passed down from father to son? Is it the name of their vampire sire or some kind of title?

What are the Dovah words for each of the constellations?

We know amethysts come from the Alik'r. Where do the best rubies come from?

What kind of bug(s) does Telvanni bug musk come from?

What birthsign was Abnur Tharn born under?

Why does Almalexia disprove of levitation magic?

Are there any orders dedicated to wiping out Kotu Gava (giant mosquitoes)? If not why not, if so how does one join?

What was the story with Queen Ayrenn and the bear?

Savirien-Chorak—we know who his father was, who was his mother?

How long do Durzog live?

We have mortal names for the Thief, the Serpent, and four of the nine aspects of the Mage. What is the Warrior's name, and the other five aspects of the Mage?

How does one join the Elder Council?

How do Minotaurs and other seem-to-be-single-sex species reproduce?

Who is the Drake of Crowns (anyone we've met in-game)?

What types of Daedra are unique to the Colored Rooms?

Does ice cream exist in Tamriel?

Is Titus Valerius (of the Craglorn storyline) the ancestor of anyone noteworthy?

Who or what is the ibis-headed creature depicted in Hew's Bane?

Nice.

Vrienda · April 2016

Can the vestige (or any soul shriven/victims of molag bal for that matter) ever die? Since their 'body' is technically made out of the same stuff Daedra are (Azure Plasm I think it was) and dying combat doesn't seem to phase them.

Almalexia's servant in stonefalls (Iliath Temple) seemed to suggest that the vestige could still die of old age. I think she said something along the lines of "One day even you will shut your eyes and never wake" , is that true? Or is mother Morrowind simply unaware of their immortal nature?

KhajiitiLizard · April 2016

Gidorick wrote: »

Some questions for the Loremaster:
What happens to an Argonian if they, for whatever reason, don't participate in Naming Day and never consume Hist sap?

There's a quest in Shadowfen about this. Jareet I think the Argonian was called. He hatched in Morrowind as a slave so would not have consumed Hist sap. They are broken but can be fixed according to the quest.

EsoRecon · April 2016

WhiteCoatSyndrome wrote: »

As an aside, if any of you are going to PAX, feel free to steal any questions I list here.
Can vampirism be contracted by animals—rats, deer, and so on? If so why are these never encountered?

Where can I find the best chocolate in Tamriel?

When and why did the Celestial Mage stop being depicted as female and start being depicted as male?

Does High King Emeric have any children?

How was raw Stalhrim made?

For the Akaviri, what is the post-hyphen-name for (example: Savirien-CHORAK, Versidue-SHAIE) since it doesn't seem to be passed down from father to son? Is it the name of their vampire sire or some kind of title?

What are the Dovah words for each of the constellations?

We know amethysts come from the Alik'r. Where do the best rubies come from?

What kind of bug(s) does Telvanni bug musk come from?

What birthsign was Abnur Tharn born under?

Why does Almalexia disprove of levitation magic?

Are there any orders dedicated to wiping out Kotu Gava (giant mosquitoes)? If not why not, if so how does one join?

What was the story with Queen Ayrenn and the bear?

Savirien-Chorak—we know who his father was, who was his mother?

How long do Durzog live?

We have mortal names for the Thief, the Serpent, and four of the nine aspects of the Mage. What is the Warrior's name, and the other five aspects of the Mage?

How does one join the Elder Council?

How do Minotaurs and other seem-to-be-single-sex species reproduce?

Who is the Drake of Crowns (anyone we've met in-game)?

What types of Daedra are unique to the Colored Rooms?

Does ice cream exist in Tamriel?

Is Titus Valerius (of the Craglorn storyline) the ancestor of anyone noteworthy?

Who or what is the ibis-headed creature depicted in Hew's Bane?

wow

Feynn · April 2016

"What is Dark Magic? And what is the nature of the crystals involved in Dark Magic?"

Let me elaborate.

There seems to be very little lore on the nature and functioning of Dark Magic. The only lorebook on Dark Magic seems to be "Dark Magic: Three Pretexts" by the Aureate Serpent, which unfortunately is relatively poor in information. As a result, information from gameplay becomes very important.

In gameplay, I have noticed of course that all Dark Magic skills seem to involve some kind of crystals in their animations. Why is that? What are these crystals? Are they somehow created by the mage, are they summoned from another plane, or what? How do they relate to dark magic? It would seem they are "created" rather than summoned, considering how the crystal in Crystal Shard for example grows gradually in size during the casting animation, but questions remain as to how and why. Also, is my understanding correct that Dark Magic is "dark" not only in terms of its possible evil uses, but also because in a way it is "negative" magicka (insofar as it can relate to negating, draining and dispelling magicka)? How does Dark Magic relate to the official Schools of Magic? It seems to have some elements of overlap with Mysticism, for example in terms of dispels? There is also a quest in which the NPC Ree-Zish mentions that Reachmen dark shamans are mystics, and that Mysticism can be used to manipulate the flow of magicka.

Thank you very much, I look forward to learning more!

Iccotak · January 2018

Do Argonians and Dragons have any history?
Have Dragons had any history of contact with the Hist?

Wing · January 2018

Valrien wrote: »

Wreuntzylla wrote: »

How did the Argonians force the daedra to close many of their gates during the oblivion crisis, which no other race could do, with such awful racial passives?

Guerilla tactics plus the swamp. The daedra simply couldn't deal with both of them together.

actually if I recall the hist called back the argonians to black marsh because it new the crisis was coming and then used its connection to them to super charge them as it were and make them super human. in fact I believe they actually charged INTO the gates to the point that the daedra quit attacking black marsh.

this has actually also led to the idea that the argonians have always simply been creations and slaves of the hist serving as bodyguards as it were.