Shadows of the Hist

Online:Sap and Stone

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ON-qico-Group Area.png Eliminate the Xit-Xaht threat in the Ruins of Mazzatun.
Zone: Shadowfen
Quest Giver: Heem-Jas
Location(s): Ruins of Mazzatun
Reward: Unidentified Mazzatun Armaments
Very High Leveled Gold
XP Gain: Very High Experience
ID: 5403
Group Group Size: 4
Help Heem-Jas rescue the captured Su-Zahleel tribe members
The peaceful Argonians of the Su-Zahleel tribe have been abducted and pressed into slavery by the Xit-Xaht—warrior fanatics that have been driven mad by their psychotic Hist. I must rescue the captives and put an end to the Xit-Xaht threat.


Quick Walkthrough[edit]

  1. Talk to Heem-Jas inside Ruins of Mazzatun to receive the quest or take the quest via Collections tab.
  2. Rescue the captives.
  3. Defeat Zatzu.
  4. Explore the ruins and rescue more captives.
  5. Defeat Mighty Chudan.
  6. Defeat Xal-Nur the Slaver.
  7. Solve the puzzle and rescue the elders (or fail and kill them all).
  8. Defeat Tree-Minder Na-Kesh.
  9. Speak to Heem-Jas to complete the quest.

Detailed Walkthrough[edit]

A Rescue Mission[edit]

Defeat Tree-Minder Na-Kesh

You will enter the Ruins of Mazzatun to find a lone Argonian seeking revenge lurking at the entrance to the city. His name is Heem-Jas, and he is here to rescue the rest of his tribe. His tribesmen were abducted by the Xit-Xaht tribe while he was out fishing, and now they are being forced to work on the puzzle city. The Hist at the center of the city, Tsono-Xuhil, is crazy, and bids its children to build a tall city of stone as opposed to making a village out of a more easily replaceable material, such as reeds or mud. Heem-Jas requests your aid in rescuing his tribe.

Make your way through the ruins and defeat the Xit-Xaht that stand in your way. When you kill their captors, the Argonians of the Su-Zahleel tribe will thank you, and Heem-Jas will direct them to the entrance. One of the captives informs you that an Argonian named Zatzu is holding more of their tribe captive, and she is one of the Xit-Xaht's strongest warriors. As you progress and free more slaves they will thank you and offer helpful information.

Su-Zahleel Captive: "I thought we would never escape …. You must hurry. More of our tribesmen are trapped inside the ruins. Please, save them!"
Su-Zahleel Captive: "They are all dead? Good. Keep your tails low. One of their strongest is ahead."

When Zatzu is defeated, Heem-Jas will arrive too late to help. Zatzu's captives will sound surprised that Heem-Jas is here to save them. He decides to scout ahead while his tribesfolk escape, and says he'll leave some Xit-Xaht for you to kill. He will catch up with you soon. Continue further into the city, and save some more Su-Zahleel.

Su-Zahleel Captive: "Hist bless you …. More of our shell-kin are through that gate. Please save them!"

As you enter the lower room of the inner ruins, you will find that Heem-Jas has been caught sneaking around, and is being beaten by a stoneshaper. Defeat the group of Xit-Xaht, and he will get to his feet and check on the captives.

Heem-Jas "Dreet, Jaseen, we are … here to rescue you."
Su-Zahleel Captive: "It is Meema and Bun-Ti … are you all right? That was a savage beating."
Heem-Jas "All according to plan. Now, the four of you should swim to safer waters. My companions and I will find the rest of the tribe."
Su-Zahleel Captive: "Yes, we will make for the marsh. But keep your bellies to the mud. They've woken up Mighty Chudan!"
Heem-Jas "Mighty Chudan? It is nothing we cannot handle, right? Ha—ow."

Down a few more corridors you can finally leaveg the interior of the ruins, entering Chudan's corral. Mighty Chudan herself is a massive Haj-Mota, and the Xit-Xaht Treeminder's pet. An argonian minder is with her, maintaining a shield, but Chudan manages to break it and kill her once you draw near. Mighty Chudan will need to be slain to progress.

Once Chudan is dead, Heem-Jas will arrive late. The Tree-Minder Na-Kesh will soon appear up on the stone wall.

Heem-Jas: "I am here! You draw its attention while I … oh. Well, good job. I guess."
Tree-Minder Na-Kesh: "Muck-dwellers! What have you done?"
Heem-Jas: "It is Na-Kesh! We have killed your pet. Release the rest of the Su-Zahleel tribe, or suffer the same fate! That was good, right?"
Tree-Minder Na-Kesh: "No. No, I think not. Xal-Nur prepares your elders for sacrifice even as we speak. Their blood will water the roots. As will yours."

Na-Kesh the leaves.

Heem-Jas: "A sacrifice? There may still be time to save them. If the stories are true, Xal-Nur is slow and stupid … but also strong as a graht oak. We must move quickly."

The Path to the Summit[edit]

Press forward through a group of Xit-Xaht to the next set of ruins. The Deep Maze is just what the name implies, and you will have to find your way. Along the right path is a Farewell Note from a deceased slave. Eventually, you'll come across an open chamber within the city. Heem-Jas is waiting for you in the middle of the room.

Heem-Jas: "Ah, you made it. I have searched high and low but I cannot find any sign of Xal-Nur or the elders. It is also very, very quiet."
Heem-Jas: "That either means the Xit-Xaht have fled, or they have gathered in great numbers to kill us all. I hope it is the second. I am filled with sap and fury."
Xit-Xaht Warrior: "Now! Kill them!"

Heem-Jas is knocked down, and the Xit-Xaht ambush you. Defeat the city's protectors and Heem-Jas will find the strength to get up. He tells you to go on without him for a minute, as he has to gather his wits (and throw up) after being hit so hard. Exit the room through the roots to the north and leave The Deep Maze. Continuing on through groups of Xit-Xaht, you can read a scrap of paper titled Urgent Letter. After you free the group of Su-Zahleel being held in the second courtyard, the captives will give some important information about Heem-Jas.

Su-Zahleel Captive: "Friends! Our foolish cousin freed us but that beast, Xal-Nur, caught him. You must hurry!"

Xal-Nur and Heem-Jas are located in the Stone Stockade, an exterior courtyard of the city enclosed in walls with ponds at the north and south ends of the stockade. Heem-Jas stands defiantly against Xal-Nur.

Xal-Nur the Slaver:Kill puny rat!"
Heem-Jas: "Stand back, or I will …."

Xal-Nur breaths in his face, causing Heem-Jas to collapse. You need to kill Xal-Nur to save Heem-Jas and move forward. Once Xal-Nur is dead, if any wamasu are left alive, they will eat their captors and find somewhere in the stockades to have a nap. Heem-Jas will thank you for your help.

Heem-Jas: "I had him by the short spines. I know it did not look like it, but feigning panic is a excellent way to set an opponent off guard. Anyway … thank you."
Heem-Jas: "Keep moving. We are near to finding the Tree-Minder and the elders, I know it."

He's not wrong. The elders are in the Ritual Chamber, which is behind Xal-Nur's corpse. One of the elders, Naheesh Dakeeto, is being harried by a Xit-Xaht warrior.

Naheesh Dakeeto: "Please … I just need—"
Xit-Xaht Stoneshaper: "Up, muck-mouth! Now!"

Kill her captors and Heem-Jas will enter the room.

Naheesh Dakeeto: "Heem-Jas? Is that—?"
Heem-Jas: "Yes, it is me. I just need to …. Kaoc. I will tend to this one. Save the others!"

before you leave, you can read Na-Kesh's Journal, which is on a table to the east. Enter the large chamber with the calendar as Heem-Jas helps Naheesh Dakeeto up. The Tree-Minder appears on a stone bridge above the cages lining the walls, and she is not pleased.

Tree-Minder Na-Kesh: "Indolent! Worthless! The Xit-Xaht do not suffer weakness. Drench the elders. Kill the invaders!"

As you enter the room, one of the elders notices you, and pleads for your aid.

Naheesh Veesum: "Who's there? She means to twist us into monsters! Please, you must set us free!"

You must begin by activating the calendar on the floor. One symbol will begin to glow, indicating that the button on a cage control stone with the corresponding symbol must be pressed to release an elder. If you the wrong button is pressed, the elder in the cage you messed up on will be drenched in sap and driven mad. The elder will then be released from their cage and attack you with the rest of the Xit-Xaht. Your goal is to avoid this.

The order of the symbols on the calendar that must be followed is always the same. The order is Shaja-Nushmeeko (Semi-Humanoid Lizard), Hist-Deek (Hist Sapling), Hist-Tsoko (Elder Hist), Thtithil (Egg), Xulomaht (Gravestake), Xeech (Seed). The buttons these symbols are set on are randomized. For example, The Egg could be set on Naheesh Veesum by the entrance or Naheesh Naxaltan near the exit. Once a button is pressed, many Xit-Xaht warriors will arrive from openings in the walls covered in vines. It is ideal to wait until every Xit-Xaht tribe member is dead before pressing another button. When saved, the elders will each have something to say.

Naheesh Naxaltan: "I am fine. Keep going!"
Naheesh Lutapeeth: "I'm … I'm alive? Thank you, friend. Thank you!"
Naheesh Oleen-Ta: "By Sithis … that was too close."
Naheesh Notei: "May the sun warm your scales, friend."
Naheesh Keemeen: "I thought I was done for. Thank you."
Naheesh Veesum: "Hist bless you!"

Once all six elders are free, you must continue to the Mad Hist's Summit, where Tree-Minder Na-Kesh is praying to her Hist.

Mad Hist's Summit[edit]

The Su-Zahleel elders put the psychotic Hist to rest

Tree-Minder Na-Kesh is below her tribe's Hist, casting a spell. To end this madness, she will need to be defeated. Once defeated, Heem-Jas will arrive.

Heem-Jas: "It is time to make the witch pay. You attack from the right! I will …"
Heem-Jas: "Late again … I erect the spine of deep disappointment."
Heem-Jas: "So, this is the Mad Hist. By the egg …. Do you see how it weeps and twists its roots? I hope the elders can help."

Speak with Heem-Jas for your reward.

"It appears that our adventure is at an end. I will admit, it did not go exactly as planned. But all true adventures include some deep bruises and frantic screaming, right?
I am right, aren't I?"
Sure. What now?
"There is still the matter of the Hist. The elders may be able to put it to sleep but that mud is too deep for me.
The important thing is that our rampage was a success, right? Na-Kesh is dealt with and my egg-kin are free. Well done, friend."

The Su-Zahleel elders will arrive at the summit after the quest is complete.

Naheesh Dakeeto: "Phew. That ladder was not kind to old knees. You have done well, Heem-Jas. Very well indeed."
Heem-Jas: "Thank you, root-mother, but my companions are the real heroes. I spent most of our adventure lost or unconscious. I was ...."
Naheesh Dakeeto: "Reckless? Yes. But the chick that tumbles out of the nest is not without virtue. Courage—even a fool's courage—is always worthy of praise."
Heem-Jas: "Thank you?"
Naheesh Dakeeto: "This Hist ... I hear it now. It is in anguish."
Naheesh Dakeeto: "Mighty Hist, hear the cries of your children. Loosen your roots and unfetter your leaves. Sleep, dreamless and long. Sleep and be at peace."

The elders perform a ritual, putting the Hist to sleep.

Naheesh Dakeeto: "Quiet now. Good. With rest and clean water it may yet remember what it means to be a Hist. Thank you, friends."
Heem-Jas: "Yes! Victory for Heem-Jas! Victory for the Su-Zahl—"
Heem-Jas: "Sorry. The cheering can wait ... I guess."

Notes[edit]

  • There is no obligation to save any of the six Su-Zahleel elders. Allowing an elder to be killed will cause more enemies to spawn and will result in their absence during the cleansing ritual scene at the end of the quest, but will otherwise have no impact. However, keeping all six elders alive in Veteran Mode will unlock the Savior of the Su-Zahleel achievement.
  • You must have Shadows of the Hist active on your account to enter the dungeon and do this quest. This can be achieved by having ESO Plus or by buying the DLC. Information on defeating the bosses present here can be found on their respective pages.

Quest Stages[edit]

Sap and Stone
Finishes Quest Journal Entry
I should search the Ruins of Mazzatun and rescue any captives I find.
Objective: Rescue the Enslaved Argonians
More of the Su-Zahleel captives are being held by Zatzu. I must slay Zatzu to rescue them.
Objective: Defeat Zatzu
It appears that the rest of the captives are being held underground. I must delve deeper into the ruins to find them.
Objective: Explore the Ruins
A massive haj mota stands between me and the rest of the ruins. I must defeat Mighty Chudan.
Objective: Defeat Mighty Chudan
I have killed the giant haj mota, but the elders of Heem Jas' tribe are still missing. A creature called Xal-Nur the Slaver has taken them deeper into the ruins. I must slay Xal-Nur and save the Su-Zahleel Elders.
Objective: Defeat Xal-Nur the Slaver
The Su-Zahleel tribal elders have been taken deeper into the ruins. I must hurry if I want to keep Tree-Minder Na-Kesh from sacrificing them.
Objective: Rescue the Tribal Elders
I have rescued the last of the Su-Zahleel captives. Only one task remains. I must defeat Tree-Minder Na-Kesh.
Objective: Defeat Tree-Minder Na-Kesh
Finishes quest☑ I should speak to Heem-Jas.
Objective: Talk to Heem-Jas
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.