Online:Shell Game

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Help Walks-Softly with a personal matter. Faction: Thieves Guild Quest Giver: Note from Walks-Softly in the Thieves Den Location(s): Abah's Landing, Velmont Estate Prerequisite Quest: The Long Game Next Quest: Everyone Has A Price Reward: Unidentified Bahraha's Curse Head Armor 302 Gold 10 Reputation XP Gain: Standard

Walks-Softly needs help dealing with a personal and delicate situation that involves an old friend from his past.

Quick Walkthrough

1. Meet Walks-Softly outside Velmont Estate in the upper district of Abah's Landing.
2. Recover Walks-Softly's childhood keepsakes.
3. Meet Walks-Softly in the Family Quarters.
4. Take the Amulet.
5. Go to the Balcony.
6. Confront Anais Velmont.
7. Escape the Estate.
8. Talk to Walks-Softly at the Thieves Den.

Detailed Walkthrough

You can find a note addressed to you in the Den from Walks-Softly.

"[PlayerName],"
"A personal matter has arisen that requires a gentle touch. It involves an old friend and an incident from our past that we need to put behind us."

<Continue reading.>

"The delicate nature of this situation requires that I solicit aid from only a trustworthy companion. Therefore, your assistance would be most appreciated. Meet me near the Velmont Mansion and we can discuss this in more detail.
—Walks-Softly"

I should meet Walks-Softly in the upper district of Abah's Landing.

In the upper district of Abah's Landing, the Velmont Mansion is located in the east, up a flight of stairs. Leaning against the wall is Walks-Softly; speak to him:

"Ready to help me with that personal matter? This is the family mansion of my old friend, Anais Velmont. Just as big and opulent as the last time I was here."

Tell me more about this old friend of yours.

"Anais … where do I begin? I was taken in by Anais and her family when I first arrived in Abah's Landing.
I owe her and the Velmonts so much. My mannerisms. My pattern of speech. My fashion sense."

But you haven't seen her for a long time?

"Time passes, things change. When the family packed up for an extended trip to Black Marsh, I decided to stay here. They went to deal with business interests and I wandered the streets of Abah's Landing.
Eventually, the guild found me and took me in."

So this is where you grew up?

"I was brought here when I was very young. My first memories are of Anais and the Velmont Mansion.
Anais and I grew up side by side. We were the best of friends! Until the family left for Black Marsh, we were always together. We were that close!"

What happened to your Argonian family?

"You know, I never thought to ask about that. Anais told me that her father saved me from some horrible fate, but she never provided any details.
The Velmonts were very good to me. Outside of the guild, they're the closest thing I have to a family."

So it's been a while since you've seen your friend?

"I was barely in my teens when the family left. She wanted me to go with her, but I couldn't leave the only home I ever knew. I slipped away in the night and I haven't seen them since.
Now Anais has returned to take control of the family mansion."

What do you need me to do?

"I understand that since Anais has returned, she's been making inquiries about me. It's clear that her memories of our time together won't let her put the past behind her.
We need to steal those memories—preferably without getting caught."

You want to steal something from your childhood friend?

"The past can be a vise that holds us back. I've seen it. I want to teach Anais to let go of her memories, forget about me, and get on with her life.
After we steal the items—items that once belonged to me, by the way—she'll stop looking for me."

What items are we looking for?

"Keepsakes. Jewelry that Anais had made from my hatching shell and scales I lost during moulting.
You know, now that I say the words out loud, it sounds kind of strange for someone to have kept my discarded body parts. Is that a common practice?"

Any idea where she might keep such items?

"The Velmont Mansion is a large place. Why don't you check the kitchens and courtyard while I search the family suites? Meet me there when you're done and we'll get out of here together."

All right, I'm ready. Let's do this.(advances quest)

"Like shadows, my friend. We need to get in and out of the mansion without causing too much mayhem and without being seen. Agreed?"

The Velmont Estate is a restricted zone— as is the standard for trespassing— and uses an Intermediate lock on its door. Once you slip into the Estate, Walks-Softly speaks once more:

Walks-Softly: "It feels odd being back here. Let's not linger."

Walks-Softly: "Let's find those keepsakes and get out of here before someone notices us."

Walks-Softly: "Quickly now, search the courtyard and kitchens. Then meet me in the family wing of the mansion."

Percy Velmont paces on the bottom floor, whereas a Hireling Guard keeps watch upstairs. As there is nothing of note inside this part of the estate, sneak and hide your way through the courtyard. In the back of the courtyard, in a tree planter, is an interactable pile of disturbed ground— this is where you'll find the Hatchling Shell Bracelet.

Next, head down the southern hallway and take the right door, into the Velmont Kitchen. Head upstairs and grab the Velmont Devotion Ring from the jewelry box against the right wall.

After you've obtained both items, cross the courtyard and head into the Family Quarters— the door on the left. Inside, Soran Velmont idles around. Upstairs, you will find Walks-Softly in Anais' room. As you approach, he will ask for your assistance.

Walks-Softly: "My amulet's in there. Would you mind getting it? There's a young Argonian in there. He … unsettles me."

Pimsy: "Oh no. My Lady will be furious when she sees these spots."

The Argonian is too focused on the ground to notice you, so you can safely loot the Jewelry Coffer holding the Moulted-Scale Amulet. Once you grab it, Walks-Softly speaks again:

Walks-Softly: "There's one more thing before we go."

Walks-Softly: "Anais and I used to sit on the balcony and watch the sun set. I'd like to see it one more time before we put this memory behind us."

Leave the Family Quarters and head north for the Balcony. As you make your approach, a scene starts to play out:

Walks-Softly: "Ah, just as I remember it. So beautiful."

Walks-Softly: "Anais and I would sneak out here and watch the sun set. It was the best of times!"

<Anais arrives through the archway.>

Anais Velmont: "And yet you ran away. You betrayed me and left me all alone. Is that how a beloved pet is supposed to behave?"

Walks-Softly: "Anais, I didn't …. You weren't supposed to be here."

Anais Velmont: "You were my friend! We were going to do so many things together! And then you ran away like a thief in the night. And that's how you come back to me? Stealing my possessions?"

Walks-Softly: "What are you saying? I don't understand …."

Talk to Anais, who has less-than-pleasant words about Walks-Softly:

"And you … you're just as bad as Walks. What gives you the right to break into my home and take my belongings?
I should call for the guard and teach you both a lesson. The Velmont family doesn't take kindly to thieves and traitors."

How can you talk to Walks-Softly like that? I thought the two of you were friends.

"Friends? Maybe when I was a child and didn't know any better. But that lizard is my pet, nothing more. Father gave him to me when I was a young girl.
How else am I supposed to treat a pet that ran away and misbehaves?"

If you feel this way, why were you looking for him?

"I returned to take control of my family's holdings, clear up old business. He's still my property, and I want my property back.
As for you, I'll let the authorities deal with you. I have no patience for those who would rather steal than work."

Walks-Softly isn't property and he's certainly not staying here. He wants you to forget about him.

"Forget him? He's all I've thought about these past few years. How he abandoned me, rejected my love and friendship. No, if he wants to be treated like a bad lizard, then that's the way it's going to be.
I've already called for the mansion guards."

After you have spoken with her, Walks-Softly will sadly tell her goodbye, but she will have none of that.

Walks-Softly: "You've changed, Anais. Either than, or I've been fooling myself this whole time. Goodbye, my old friend."

Anais Velmont: "Goodbye? I don't think so. Even if you escape from the mansion, my agents will find you and bring you back to me. You're mine, now and forever!"

Anais Velmont: "Guards! Take these intruders into custody!"

<Anais runs back into the mansion.>

Walks-Softly: "I think it's time to leave, don't you? Quickly now!"

Leave the Estate: the quickest path is to enter the Family Quarters and head out the door in front of you. When you've exited, Walks-Softly will tell you to meet him at the Thieves Den. He will be found in his living quarters, in the northeastern corner of the circular housing area. Talk with him:

"Our meeting with Anais didn't go anything like I had imagined. She has changed. Or perhaps I'm the one who changed.
Learning your own truth can be so confusing."

I thought you said she was your friend?

"She was my friend. Once. I'm almost certain of that.
We were always together. Laughing, playing, exploring the mansion. Perhaps when I ran away, deserted her … did that turn her into this unfamiliar creature?"

I think you were her slave.

"I was a slave? No, I don't think either of us knew what that meant. Not back then, when we were just children.
I suppose, deep down, I knew it all along. Why I ran away instead of going with Anais to Black Marsh."

Did we really accomplish anything by stealing those keepsakes?

"Of course! We took those memories away from Anais and recovered the keepsakes of my youth.
Plus, we discovered how far my friend has fallen. I just need to figure out how to help her find the person she used to be—unless she finds me first."

You think Anais will make good on her threat to track you down?

"Now that she knows I'm around? I expect her to double her efforts and use every advantage her family's gold can buy. It's what I'd do.
Thanks for assisting me with this, by the way. Once I decide on my next course of action, I'll let you know."

He will give you gold and Unidentified Bahraha's Curse Head Armor as a reward.

Notes

• Despite physically picking up Walks-Softly's note after accepting the quest, it's not added to your quest items.
• While Walks-Softly and the quest description put emphasis on the importance of not getting caught, getting spotted during the quest doesn't have any additional negative effects outside of just acquiring a bounty.
• Anais Velmont won't exist in the mansion before starting the quest or reaching the related objective.
• Despite Anais shouting for guards as she flees after your encounter with her, none will directly come for you as a result of this and your bounty isn't raised.

Quest Stages

Shell Game
Finishes Quest	Journal Entry
	I should meet Walks-Softly near the Velmont Mansion in Abah's Landing to find out more about this delicate situation. Objective: Talk to Walks-Softly in the Upper District
	Walks-Softly wants me to break into the Velmont Mansion and help him search for keepsakes that his friend Anais has held onto for all these years. We just need to be careful that we're not spotted. Objective: Enter the Velmont Mansion
	Walks-Softly wants me to search the mansion's courtyard and kitchen area for a few of the keepsakes from his time living here with Anais. As I search, I should take care to remain hidden so as not to attract attention. Objective: Find Walks-Softly's Hatchling Shell Bracelet Objective: Find Walks-Softly's Velmont Devotion Ring
	I found two items that could be the keepsakes Walks-Softly was looking for. I should meet Walks-Softly in the family quarters of the mansion and see if there's anything else he wants to steal from Anais Velmont. Objective: Meet Walks-Softly in the Family Quarters
	Walks-Softly wants me to take the amulet so we can leave the mansion. Objective: Take the Amulet
	Walks-Softly would like to visit the balcony where he and Anais Velmont used to spend time playing when they were young. Objective: Go to the Balcony
	Anais Velmont approached us while we were on the balcony. She said some terrible things to Walks-Softly. I should confront her about this. Objective: Confront Anais Velmont
	I think we overstayed our welcome. Walks-Softly and I should leave Anais's family mansion immediately. Objective: Escape the Estate
	We made it out of the Velmont Mansion. Now I should return to the Thieves Den and speak to Walks-Softly about our meeting with Anais Velmont. Objective: Talk to Walks-Softly at the Thieves Den
Finishes quest	I need to talk to Walks-Softly at the Thieves Den about our encounter with his old friend, Anais Velmont. Objective: Talk to Walks-Softly at the Thieves Den

Notes

* Any text displayed in angle brackets (e.g., <Alias=LocationHold>) is dynamically set by the game and will be filled in with the appropriate word(s) when seen in game.

• Not all Journal Entries may appear in your journal; which entries appear and which entries do not depends on the manner in which the quest is done.
• Stages are not always in order of progress. This is usually the case with quests that have multiple possible outcomes or quests where certain tasks may be done in any order. Some stages may therefore repeat objectives seen in other stages.