Shivering:Hloval Dreth's Ghost

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Hloval Dreth's ghost

Hloval Dreth is a Dunmer healer and resident of the ruined city of Vitharn, which was overrun by its own brethren centuries ago. As a result of the cowardice, inaction and incompetence displayed by the denizens of Vitharn, their ghosts were cursed by Sheogorath to relive their final moments in perpetuity.

Hloval was born with stunted magicka, but, being as egotistical as he is, he went on to become a mage anyway. This, however, wasn’t Hloval’s biggest sin. Just days before the tolerance of the Vassal Fanatics snapped, he met up with them to, as he described it to both Count Cirion and his friend Anglor, negotiate. In reality, he offered to help them during the invasion, if he could become their leader afterward. The vassals declined his offer, and his treachery was later discovered by the count. Nonetheless, it was too late. The vassals invaded Vitharn, and Hlovel found himself standing in the defense line with a total lack of magicka, making him an easy kill for the attackers. During the related quest, it’s up to you to restore his magicka, so he can defend himself against the Fanatics and help lift the curse.

You will find him in the Vitharn Bailey, standing next to Desideratus Annius, desperately trying to cast his spells. When the first wave of attackers run through the southern gate, he will quickly be slain, while the Fanatic screams: “Die, faithless priest!”

When you finally manage to approach him in the chaotic battle, he will shout out in panic: ”Power! I need power! Unless you can give me the magicka to help these soldiers, get out of my way.” Afterward, he will start to explain his problem: “The citizens are in my way. Should I kill them? No? Too bad. If only I had more magicka, I could kill the Fanatics and then rule this town!” When asked about the siege, he will readily tell you about the situation, his attempt to convince the brethren, and the “list”: “The Fanatics? What’s to understand? They were just after my power. But it’s mine, all mine. They wanted me to convert Vitharn, but I fooled them. I put them on the list. Oh, yes, they’re on the list now! Because we refused to convert, they lay siege to Vitharn. If they had agreed to let me rule, I would have helped them. But now, they’re on the list.” If you ask him what his problem is you’ll make the list as well: “Problem? I suppose you think that everyone with stunted magicka has a “problem.” You’re nothing but a bigot. You’re on the list now.”

It is possible to solve Hloval’s problem in two ways: either give him a set of ghostly welkynd stones or provide him with the Dagger of Depletion. If you give him the stones, he will say: “The sacred stones! You’ve desecrated them with your touch. You’re on the list for sure now. I would never have allowed myself to do that. However, now that they are befouled, I can use them. You may grovel in gratitude at my feet later.” If you choose to give him the dagger, he will start looking for a potential source for magicka: “Yes! Yes! I can use this to charge my magicka. All I need is a source… someone nearby… someone with magicka. Someone on the list!… Someone like you! No need to thank me for letting you give me your power. I deserve it, after all.” He will then stab you with the dagger, draining all your magicka. After this, his last words to you will be: “They doubted my power. Now they’ll see!”

The other ghostly citizens in Vitharn also have a thing or two to tell you about their “healer”. In the battlefield, the archer Althel will, while counting as usual, say this: “0, 5. Hloval is our priest and healer. 7, 7. Unfortunately he was born with stunted magicka, but not a stunted ego. 2, 1. He does the best he can, but he never seems to have enough magicka. 5, 6.” Another failure in the defense line, the doll-obsessed warrior Desideratus Annius will proclaim: “Hloval healed my betrothed once. Then he ran out of magic. He said he needed to find someone to lend him some before he could help her more.” A fourth soldier, simply named Vitharn Ghost Soldier, will say what everybody’s thinking: “Hloval dances a little to close to Sheogorath, if you know what I mean. Those born with stunted magicka shouldn’t become priests and healers.” When the invasion started, Hloval quickly sent Anglor down to the chapel in order to pray for the safety of Vitharn. Seemingly not knowing about his treachery, he will tell you: “Prior Dreth met with the Fanatics to turn them away. They did not see the wisdom of his words. Instead, they sent soldiers to sneak into the keep. The defenders in the bailey failed to stop them from opening the main gates.” And it also becomes clear, that Hloval have used Anglor as a source for magicka: “It was an honor for me to help Prior Dreth. The pain of the stab wound was a small sacrifice to restore his magicka.” And the last words belong to Count Cirion: “Hloval’s treachery is second only to my own cowardice.”

Near Vitharns Mausoleum, a small graveyard can be found. On Hloval's gravestone, this inscription reads: “Power mad to the end, Hloval Dreth met his end in shame.”

[edit] Related Quests

• Ghosts of Vitharn: Set things right for the ghosts of a fallen castle.

[edit] Notes

• Hloval shares a surname with Valen Dreth, though there is no other evidence to suggest they may be related.