Online:Vateshran Calbokh

Vateshran Calbokh (lore page)
Location	Various locations around the Reach
Race	Reachman	Gender	Male
Health	39,959
Reaction	Friendly

Vateshran Calbokh

Vateshran Calbokh is a Reachman storyteller and random encounter. He tells a variety of stories for either a cost, or if you have the Mages Guild perk to persuade him.

Dialogue

When you approach him, he will say one of the following:

Vateshran Calbokh: "Well, these roads can feel quite lonely. Don't you agree?"

Vateshran Calbokh: "Well, who is this now? Have you come for a tale?"

You can then talk to him:

"Well, a vateshran can't pick his audience, especially in a place like this.
Don't suppose you could part with some coin for a performance of mine? My tales thrill and inform. And some coin in my pocket—a soul's got to eat. You won't regret it."

What kind of performance?

"Well, I have a few recitals prepared. A tale of gods and sorrow, or one of battle—maybe a bit of history, perhaps? The Reach holds tales not like any from the outlands."

Fine. I'll pay for a performance.

"Very well, we seal the bargain. What manner of tale do you wish to hear?"

[Persuade] Why should I pay? You need the practice, don't you?

"Well, you hold a clever tongue. But outsiders are a shifty lot, aren't they?
I can't fault your logic. Fine. But don't tell any clans you come across that a vateshran provided you a tale for free."

You can then choose from three types of tales:

Let's hear a tale of gods and sorrow.

I want to hear a tale of battle.

Let's hear a tale of history.

If you chose a tale of gods and sorrow:

Vateshran Calbokh: "Heh. The world never feels so bleak that people pass up hearing a tale of tragedy. Ahem."

Vateshran Calbokh: "The wind in the breast of Chieftain Fiasof was the hunting-horn's call. His pealing tenor was the baying pack of scenting-hounds."

Vateshran Calbokh: "His stride was the river, cutting through mountain pass and glen. His bow called the rain-death on all in his aim."

Vateshran Calbokh: "Hircine, the lord of hunts, watched Fiasof. He did with joy, at first, then anger. There was no struggle in Fiasof's chase, too skilled was he for prey."

Vateshran Calbokh: "It was mockery to Hircine, and it would not be abided. And so the great spirit made Fiasof new game."

Vateshran Calbokh: "Hircine bade Fiasof slay a herd of deer, white as snow in hide. They were no challenge to the arrow-rain, and soon had red coats."

Vateshran Calbokh: "But Fiasof went to dress the game and saw his prey as they were: his tribe, changed by Hircine as punishment of pride."

Vateshran Calbokh: "Fiasof broke his bow over knee. He bowed to Hircine, asking for the great spirit's forgiveness."

Vateshran Calbokh: "And Hircine, in his wisdom, gave it."

If you choose a tale of battle:

Vateshran Calbokh: "Battle, eh? You seem to be no stranger to violence. But if you wish it … ahem."

Vateshran Calbokh: "Faolan, the Red Eagle, last drew his blade at sunset. Naked was his breast and arm and head. The light of his eyes dimmed, the hagraven's due."

Vateshran Calbokh: "But the blade burned bright, as did the fury left to him. And he faced the legions that bid him kneel."

Vateshran Calbokh: "No ring or steel could turn his blade. Men were hewn through as reeds in wind. Red Eagle's flesh wept blood, blackened and thick with sorcery."

Vateshran Calbokh: "Blade and arrow found him, time and again. Faolan did not fight to win. His aim was punishment."

Vateshran Calbokh: "The sun rose over the field of dead. Red Eagle stood, though no life was left to him."

Vateshran Calbokh: "The tomb was opened and the eagle flew no longer."

If you choose a tale of history:

Vateshran Calbokh: "Oh, you have a scholarly bent? I wouldn't have guessed by the look of you. Ahem."

Vateshran Calbokh: "Leovic, Moricar's son, ruled from sea to sea. Spirits made the man for Reach-hearths and tents."

Vateshran Calbokh: "He strove to show the world Reach spirit, the one that bade them kneel. But though they named him emperor, their hearts were never his."

Vateshran Calbokh: "The city Anvil was fat and still, and could learn of Reachman's ways. Four times Leovic traveled there, arms bare and head crowned, to show the people their errors."

Vateshran Calbokh: "The fools did feast him lavishly, they sought finery for his naked breast."

Vateshran Calbokh: "Leovic would cast aside the wine-cup, upend the feast-table. He tore the silk and the damask he trampled in wrath."

Vateshran Calbokh: "He bade the court forgo its decadence, for then it might know strength and pride it lost before it fell."

Vateshran Calbokh: "And so Leovic left the city of Anvil in disgust, and darkened its doorway no longer."

After his story, he will say:

Vateshran Calbokh: "Well. I hope my recital filled your heart. I best get on my way. Time and hunger wait for no man."

Bugs

• In the tale of history, after the line "He bade the court forgo its decadence, for then it might know strength and pride it lost before it fell.", the line "Leovic would cast aside the wine-cup, upend the feast-table. He tore the silk and the damask he trampled in wrath." repeats itself fully in text, but stops at "feast-table" in the audio.