Online:Dust-On-Scales

Dust-On-Scales
Location	Rockgrove
Race	Argonian	Gender	Male
Health	52831
Reaction	Friendly
Other Information
Faction(s)	Ca-Uxith

Dust-On-Scales

Dust-On-Scales is an Argonian member of the Ca-Uxith who can be found within Rockgrove. He is the tribe's stone-talker, charged with keeping the xanmeer intact. His two apprentices, Kasa-Tah and Manasha, were among the many killed by the Sul-Xan when they attacked.

Related Quests

•  Of Stone and Steam: Save the souls of Rockgrove's fallen and drive back the Dagonite invaders.

Quest-Related Events

Dust-On-Scales witnesses Veeka-Gel's soul leaving his body

Dust-On-Scales will be seen trying to tend to Veeka-Gel's fleeting moments before he is in shock that Veeka-Gel's soul was ripped out from his body rather than returned to the Hist:

Dust-On-Scales: "You can go now, root-brother. Lie back. Rejoin the one, as all things must."

Veeka-Gel: "I do not fear this, root-brother. But, I do regret …."

Dust-On-Scales: "Xuth! His soul? What is this?"

Speaking to him to start the quest as he explains more about the attacks of the Sul-Xan:

"Did you see that? His soul, drawn from his body. As if pulled by some force. My scales parch with fear from the implications.
Attacks from these Sul-Xan grow like weeds across this region. But they may have greater plans here than mere savagery."

Why do you think they attacked you?

"This xanmeer stands atop powerful tides of flame and steam. These energies attract many-including, it seems, a Sul-Xan named Flame-Herald Bahsei. She plans to tap the destructive potential below to summon a creature called, Xalvakka."

No one is left who can fight back?

"When the swarm emerged, our warriors defended us while we escaped. Two of my apprentices were among them. I expect they are all gone.
You appear stiff of spine-perhaps you could purge the Sul-Xan from our land? I offer gifts if you succeed."

I'll drive the Sul-Xan from this xanmeer.

Asking him more about further information of the Sul-Xan as well as what you just witnessed:

"By my spread claws, you bring some small hope. My waters may flow yet.
Go east, through the old city. Push through the Sul-Xan to reach the xanmeer. I expect Bahsei prepares her summoning at its peak. I will follow behind as you clear the way."

What do you know about the Sul-Xan?

"They are a tribe of locusts, swarming those who live peacefully within the marsh. Sul-Xan only wish to rend scale from spine. I hear stories of sacrifices to appease the chaos.
I know little more of them, as I practice caution in their presence."

Who is this Flame-Herald Bahsei you mentioned?

"Her name is poison fumes spread by the wind. She shows great savagery, even for Sul-Xan.
Whispers say Bahsei's magic no longer comes from the Hist. She abandoned the one to revere another-Mehrunes Dagon. And so earned her title of Flame-Herald."

And she led the attack on the xanmeer?

"As the Sul-Xan warriors charged us from the shadows, I saw her standing among them. She raised her arms and shouted that today they would take no prisoners. We were food to bring forth Xalvakka."

I wish to know who you are. / Tell me who you are?

"Ah. I offer my abdomen in forgiveness and welcome. Events have caused me to forget my training.
Calling me Dust-on-Scales will be easiest. I serve as stone-talker for the Ca-Uxith—the Silent-Nest tribe. What remains of it."

How is your tribe connected to the xanmeer?

"Our small village of Krona-Konu lies close by. Though I understand the dryskins refer it as Rockgrove. Outsiders rarely visit, so I see no need to quibble.
The Hist asked that we watch over this xanmeer and ensure that it stands. And so we have."

Why did it ask this of you?

"I do not know. And did not feel the need to ask. I sag my tail with regret knowing that now we have failed.
Or perhaps this was its purpose? Nevertheless, I shall try my best to fulfill the will of the Hist."

What is a stone-talker? / You called yourself a stone-talker. What is that?

"Hmm … how to explain? Great energies exist underground that binds our tribe's Hist and this xanmeer. At times, the flows are disturbed and erupt onto the surface. My role is to study these forces so we may better maintain the old temple."

You called that glowing orb his soul?

"I cannot explain it, but yes. Since the moment I hatched, I have witnessed the deaths of many egg-kin. Our souls return to the chaos, dispersing into the cycle once more.
For them to be removed in such a manner …. I must learn more."

Once you clear out the Sul-Xan militant forces before the entrance to the ruined springs, Dust-On-Scales will comment on the signs of the destruction and the change in the sky:

Dust-On-Scales: "Some of our fallen warriors. But no sign of my apprentices among them."

Dust-On-Scales: "Look. In the sky to the south. The energies swirling above."

You can ask more about his observations:

"That tempest in the sky-it is surely the work of Flame-Herald Bahsei. Xalvakka's summoning has begun.
You have fought well so far. But we must hurry. Head toward the swirling cloud to reach the xanmeer's entrance."

Any thoughts on why Bahsei needed the xanmeer?

"A great power runs beneath this old city. You have seen its side-effects—the geysers erupting all around us.
An acolyte of Mehrunes Dagon might channel such destructive energy to empower a ritual. I now suspect this was Bahsei's purpose."

I saw more souls rise up when the Sul-Xan killed some captives.

"Deeply concerning. Somehow Flame-Herald Bahsei has managed to tear the souls from my kin. They should naturally return to the Hist. Instead she collects them for some grave purpose.
We call this xul-vahat—a taboo death. It must be stopped."

After you vanquished Oaxiltso, the elder urges you to continue through the xanmeer:

Dust-On-Scales: "We can continue into the xanmeer. And quickly-the clouds grow darker."

Speaking to him before you go in the xanmeer, he will warn about the unknown capabilities of the Sul-Xan:

"The door ahead leads to a chamber under the xanmeer. Once inside, we can climb to the peak, where I believe Bahsei waits.
Be cautious as we continue. I cannot predict what other powers these Sul-Xan possess."

What did you mean that this behemoth was corrupted?

"While I have never laid eyes on one of the Xal-Krona, I know of their kind. Great warriors, massive in size, bestowed as gifts from the Hist.
They are not typically such a color. I suspect Bahsei may have...altered him somehow."

Once you reached the end of the xanmeer root-crypts, Dust-On-Scales will see his fallen apprentices Kasa-Tah and Manasha, and will noticed they suffered the same fate as the other Argonians who had their souls ripped out:

Dust-On-Scales: "Ah, Kasa-Tah. And Manasha. So you have fallen."

Dust-On-Scales: "Hmm. I fear that their souls suffered the same fate as Veeka-Gel's"

Dust-On-Scales: "You must bring an end to this. They deserve to return to the Hist."

Before you enter into the top of the xanmeer, you can ask about what to expect from Bahsei and what were his apprentices like:

"The tempest of light we saw above the xanmeer-it grows stronger with every soul taken from my kin.
Let us hope we are not too late to stop the arrival of this Xalvakka."

What can I expect from Bahsei?

"Cruelty. Cunning. And likely powers I cannot predict. Based on what we have seen, it is clear the whispers of her loyalty to Mehrunes Dagon are true.
She will not yield, ojel. She must be sent back to the chaos."

Tell me more about your apprentices. / I'd like to know more about your students.

"They were each wiser than I, in different ways. Even as far from the egg as I am, I still learned much from them.
Kasa-Tah valued preparation for the nests to come. She believe we were too isolated, and that knitted branches held strongest."

And Manasha?

"The role of stone-talker involves communing with spirits and beasts who reside in the old city. Manasha truly reveled in speaking to these creatures. He wallowed in it as might a hog in mud.
The two of them meant a new era for Krona-Konu."

How do you know what happened to your apprentices' souls? / How do you know what happened to your students' souls?

"I sense they are shells cracked open, just as I felt with Veeka-Gel. Their souls were not allowed to reenter the way of things. They were ripped-as if by a beast tearing flesh for a meal."

After you defeated Bahsei, Xalvakka will taunt you to fight her in Oblivion. Dust-On-Scales insists that in order to end this crisis, they need to go into Oblivion to deal with Xalvakka:

Xalvakka: "I am satiated. Now is my time! Come, bugs, meet the great Xalvakka!"

Dust-On-Scales: "Xuth! Look how Xalvakka pulls the souls of my kin through the gate."

Dust-On-Scales: "With Bahsei dead, I do not know how to close the portal. We are still at great risk."

Dust-On-Scales: "Please, you must enter the gate and end this threat."

Before you head inside the gate, you can ask what he thinks will be on the other side of the portal:

"You have fulfilled my request. Bahsei is dead. But with bare abdomen and bowed head, I beg one more task of you.
While this gate stays open, Xalvakka still threatens this land. Dispatch the creature and close this portal. Only then are we safe."

What do you think is awaiting on the other side of the portal.

"The mysteries of beyond are great. A creature capable of consuming so many souls must be enormously powerful.
But I have seen your skill in action. No one is better suited for this battle. May you stay moist and nimbly dance through the flames."

After defeating Xalvakka and freeing the souls of the Argonians, you will return to the xanmeer after the sigil stone is smashed. Dust-On-Scales will rejoice in the aversion of an Oblivion crisis:

Dust-On-Scales: "The gate is closed and the storm has calmed. It is over."

Dust-On-Scales: "The people of Ca-Uxith honor you, savior of Krona-Konu."

Speak to him to announce the news of Xalvakka's death and finish the quest:

"You return. I was unsure if we would ever see the hero of Rockgrove again. Yet, here you stand, triumphant.
Before it closed, a flock of souls flew out from the gate. I sense they have returned to the Hist where they belong. Did you kill Xalvakka?"

Yes, Xalvakka is dead. The threat is over.

"Yes, I feel the old city settling. The raging energies grow calm. Krona-Konu—Rockgrove—is safe once again.
Such a hard-shelled protector has come to our aid. The tribe extends our tails in gratitude. Please, take this as a reward."

If you went through the trial without accepting the quest from him, you will receive a token from Xalvakka's carcass that will allow you to receive a reward for the trial. Normally, this trophy is Xalvakka's Head.

"^(?)"

I removed Xalvakka's head from her corpse as proof of her death.

"Ah, well done. I see you understand the traditions of battles within the marsh. I erect the spine of gratitude for this gift. We shall roast it during our victory celebration.
In exchange for the trophy, may I offer you this reward."

If hard mode was completed, this trophy is Xalvakka's Heart.

"^(?)"

I removed Xalvakka's heart from their corpse as proof that she is dead.

"By bark and bone, you honor me with this trophy. The heart of such a creature contains great power and hidden wisdom. I shall think of you when I bite into it and let the juices run down my scales.
In thanks for all you have done, we offer a gift."

After the quest completion:

"Those who still live have a great deal to clean up. I need to find any remaining captives, but with the Sul-Xan thwarted we should not face trouble.
The Ca-Uxith shall start anew. Our Hist requested we watch this xanmeer, and this remains our task."

What will you do next?

"Rebuild, naturally. Nothing stands forever, even the greatest stone structures from our past. This impermanence is the truth of the world.
I suppose I must train new apprentices as well. I cannot replace those I lost, but nor would I wish to."

I spoke with the spirits of your apprentices. They showed me how to close the gate.

"Then, their death served a greater purpose after all. Courageous beyond the end, those two. I erect the spine of humility as their teacher.
Thank you for telling me this. Knowing they rejoin the one sets my heart at ease."