Online:Whiptail

Whiptail
Location	Lilmoth, Ruined Guardhouse, Swallowed Grove, Xul-Thuxis
Race	Naga	Gender	Male
Health	15,000 39,959 (At the end of "Missing in Murkmire")
Reaction	Friendly

Whiptail

Whiptail is a Naga mercenary who acts as a bodyguard for Kassandra and wherever she is in Murkmire, he is close by. Sardonic and ruthless by nature, he is willing to whatever is necessary to complete his goals.

According to him, Kassandra tracked him down because she had heard of his talents, though he will admit to you that he isn't in this line of work for the gold. Furthermore, he sees you as similar to him in that respect and is interested in seeing how strong you are.

Everyone else finds him disconcerting, with Famia privately hoping that Kassandra will get rid of him and Xukas seeing Whiptail as someone who masquerades at being Naga—hiding his monstrous nature.

Related Quests

• Whispers in the Wood: Work with the local tribes to find out more about a mysterious Argonian relic.
• Death and Dreaming: Join a dream-wallow ritual and learn the truth about the Remnant of Argon.
• The Swamp and the Serpent: Pursue a traitor through Deepmire.

Quest-Related Events

Missing in Murkmire

He is first encountered when Kassandra introduces herself to you. After learning about the Blackguards involvement in the disappearances, the following conversation will happen:

Kassandra: "Blackguards. Hmm. Unwelcome news, isn't it, Whiptail?"

Whiptail: "I'll handle it. Give me two hours."

Kassandra: "No, no. Our new friend has the situation well in hand."

After you return from rescuing the missing explorers, if spoken to, he says: "Take care of yourself. No one else will. Count on it."

Whispers in the Wood

If you do not start the quest from Kassandra or otherwise decide to restart it, he will be encountered somewhere^where? with a message to deliver.

"Hey, scaleless one. I have a message for you. From Kassandra. She wants to see you in her office in Lilmoth right away."^{different dialogue if playing as an Argonian?}

What does Kassandra want?

"She didn't say, and I didn't ask.
It's probably got something to do with this Remnant you're all so excited about. Frankly, I don't care. She wanted you to get the message and I delivered it."

After speaking with Kassandra, he can be spoken to more thoroughly:

"So you're Famia's caretaker, eh? Don't envy you. She's weak. Here in Murkmire, the weak wind up as wamasu food.
Name's Whiptail. Kassandra's bodyguard. Don't need your name. You won't be around long enough. Famia's helpers never are."

What exactly do you do for Kassandra?

"Mud in your ears? I do for Kassandra what you do for Famia—except I'm better at it."

How do you figure that?

"I know Murkmire. Better than most.
Want some advice? Of course you do. Surviving Murkmire isn't about maps, or guides, or good manners. It's about strength. Strength to do what's necessary—all the time."

You'll find I'm very strong.

"Yeah? Maybe one day you'll get a chance to show me. That could be fun."

How did someone like you wind up as Kassandra's bodyguard?

"Someone like me? Huh. Funny. You're funny.
Truth is she came looking for me. Kassandra's got an eye for talent. She wants results. I deliver."

Does she pay you well?

"Heh. You think I do this for the gold? Of course I don't. And neither do you.
You and me, we do what we do—rich, poor, or in-between. Don't act like you're one of these work-a-day sheep. False modesty's beneath us."

Ruined Guardhouse

After being directed by Famia to the Ruined Guardhouse, Kassandra and Whiptail can be found observing the corpse of an informant of Kassandra's.

Whiptail: "It's no use. Pockets have been picked clean."

Kassandra: "Nothing is ever that simple."

<Kassandra notices you.>

Kassandra: "Good, you're here."

If you speak with him, he will dismiss you:

"If you've got something to say, say it to Kassandra."

After speaking with Kassandra, he will instead tell you:

"I've got the corpse covered, swamp slug. Why don't you do what the nice lady says and look for clues about the Remnant."

Once you have found clues, if spoken to, he tells you off again:

"What are you looking at me for? Talk to Kassandra."

After he learns that you are heading to the Dead-Water Village, he says the following if spoken to:

"You know those Dead-Water Nagas make weapons out of their friends' corpses right? Goodness knows what they do to people they don't like.
Maybe something functional. A weather vane, or furniture? Hmm. I'm no artist, but I admire their creativity."

Once you have arrived back at Lilmoth to report your findings, if you speak to him, he says:

"Nice little party you've got here. And look at me … under dressed, as usual."

Death and Dreaming

It is possible to begin this quest from him, who will flag you down while you are in a settlement:

"Hey, swamp slug! Kassandra sent me to give you a message."

What do you want, Whiptail?

"Kassandra wants to see you at the Cyrodilic Collections headquarters. Now.
That little tea party Famia's hosting won't last much longer. They want to get going to Swallowed Grove."

All right. I'll make my way back to the headquarters now.

After the quest is started, he can be asked about the Swallowed Grove.

"The Swallowed Grove, eh? Looks like I'll be adding a few scars to my collection."

You're coming with us?

"Where Kassandra goes, I go. That's what she pays me for, right?"

Do you know anything about the Swallowed Grove?

"People say it's haunted. Of course, people say lots of places are haunted. Personally, I wouldn't worry about the things you can't see. There's plenty of things you can see that probably want you dead."

The Swallowed Grove

Once the group is in the Swallowed Grove, they will split up but Kassandra and Whiptail will remain at the entrance. If he is spoken to, he will say:

"Your sap-addled friends are going to wake up whatever's in this damn place, and then guess who's going to have to clean up the mess?
'Course, that's what they pay us for, right? Cleaning up messes. And making new ones."

Aren't you staying behind?

"Insinuating I'm a coward? Oh, hero, you wound me!
I stay with Kassandra. But don't worry your pretty head. We'll be along soon enough."

When you have the found the items required for the dream-wallow and reached the door to the Dreaming Nest, the group will gather once more. If spoken to, he will mockingly say:

"After you, hero."

As you emerge from the visions with Sap-Speaker's staff, you will dimly see Xukas and Jaxsik-Orrn on the ground with Kassandra standing over your companions' prone bodies. Whiptail will be off to the side with a restrained Famia.

Kassandra: "This staff. It is the key to the Remnant of Argon, isn't it?"

Kassandra: "Then it sems our time together has come to an end. This paralytic should keep you here, for a time. Please know I hold you in the highest respect. Farewell."

<Kassandra takes the staff, and walks away towards the stairs.>

Whiptail: "Move it, Famia!"

<He pokes Famia with a blade and makes her walk in front of him.>

The Swamp and the Serpent

"You made the mistake of not being useful anymore. But don't worry—I've got a use for you."

After Kassandra and Whiptail reveal their true colors, the Naga can be later seen from a distance within Xul-Thuxis. When you have found evidence of Kassandra being in the temple, Jaxsik-Orrn will hear something.

Jaxsik-Orrn: "Quiet. I hear something."

<Looking through a nearby hole in the wall, Famia—who is flanked by two Blackguard Thugs—can be found speaking with Whiptail.>

Famia Mercius: "Get your hands off me! Where is Kassandra?"

Whiptail: "Well, she left you in my capable hands, sweetheart. You made the mistake of not being useful anymore. But don't worry—I've got a use for you."

Famia Mercius: "I'm not going anywhere with you!"

<Famia abruptly runs down the corridor out of sight.>

Whiptail: "Oh! It's a chase then? Good! No fun without a struggle. Get after her, boys! Take her to the sacrificial chamber!"

<Whiptail orders the thugs to chase after her while he saunters slowly behind them.>

Xukas: "Kassandra cannot be far. She hopes to delay us by putting friend-Famia in danger, I think. Xuth. Come. Let's find another way into the deeper ruins."

The Sacrificial Chamber

Whiptail
Location	Xul-Thuxis - Hall of Shadows
Race	Naga	Gender	Male
Health	133,844	Difficulty
Reaction	Hostile
Other Information
Faction(s)	Blackguards

Whiptail prepares to sacrifice Famia

As you progress through the Halls of Shadows, you can overhear Whiptail's appeal to Sithis and his promise of sacrifices for power.

Whiptail: "Hear me, Sithis! Your altar has gone unbloodied far too long. Grant me your power, and I will carve your name into all of the flesh of Murkmire!"

When you enter the chamber, Famia will be tied up on the altar and Whiptail's back will be to you. As you engage him in combat, he'll recognize you and be eager for the fight. He uses a mix of assassin and nightblade abilities during combat.

Whiptail: "You? I've been waiting for this for a long time. Come on!"

Once he is dead, Famia will free herself and run off into the Hall of Memories to meet with Xukas and Jaxsik-Orrn.

Notes

• During the fight against him, he can be defeated quite easily by luring him over to one of the numerous toxic plants located in the arena, as when active, they will damage him rapidly.