Arena:Ebony Mail

Artifact: Ebony Mail (lore page)
Shares Appearance With	Ebony Cuirass
Statistics
Rating	-9 AC
Rating	-9 AC		{{{health}}}
Weight	16 kg
Enchantment
Resist Fire, Spell Shield, Shield

Ebony Mail

"The Ebony Mail is an artifact created before recorded history, according to legend, by the Dark Elven goddess Boethiah. It is she who determines who should possess the Mail and for how long a time. If judged worthy, its power grants the wearer invulnerability to all common magical attacks that drain talents and health. It is Boethiah alone who determines when a person is ineligible to bear the Ebony Mail any longer, and the goddess can be very capricious..."—Codex Scientia

The Ebony Mail is a cuirass artifact that can be obtained by taking part in an artifact quest. Per the Codex Scientia, this quest can be started anywhere but Black Marsh. The artifact itself will be found in Black Marsh.

As artifacts cannot be sold to merchants and you are limited to a single artifact at a time without exploits, the Ebony Mail should not be obtained by classes that are unable to use its armor type.

Quest Dialogue

Quest-starting Rumors

• "If you have aspirations toward going far,[PC race], you need to talk to a man I know who has information about getting the Ebony Mail. Go a bit [Direction] to the [Tavern name] if you want to see him, but remember to bring plenty of gold. He's not giving it away for nothing, that's for certain."

• "[Provincial exclamation], I know about something you'd be interested in, young [PC race]. Over to the [Direction] in an inn called the [Tavern name], you'll find a gentleman with a certain inside story about the Ebony Mail. I'm sure you've heard about the Mail? Makes you tougher than a troll, stronger, faster. Might have some use, you know?"

• "Now, keep this under your hat, [PC race], but I know someone who knows how to get the Ebony Mail, really I do. He's [Direction] of here in the [Tavern name]. If I were you, I get all the gold I have for payment and get there right away, before all the battle-hardiest of [Settlement name] and [Rival settlement name] are at the [Tavern name] looking for this guy."

Tavern Encounters

• "Good news travels fast, eh, [PC race]?" The brawny man on the next chair looks at you humorlessly. "I was wondering how long it would take before every adventurer in [Province] showed up to beg me to tell them the location of the Ebony Mail. Who wouldn't want to wear armor that makes you [sic] gives you such power, power no spell can take away from you? Well, you can bet I'm not going to divulge my secret for free. My current price is [Amount of gold] gold pieces. Take it or leave it." "Hey, [NPC name]!" the innkeeper yells, "This [PC race] wants to talk to you about the Ebony Mail!"

• You are joined by a sober young man. "You're not the first person to come here asking about the Ebony Mail," he says. "Lots of people like the idea of getting a legendary item that gives them such power, but few have even almost the [Amount of gold] gold pieces I need to tell the secret location. Do you have it?"

• A distinguished-looking man two seats away from you at the bar rises and joins you, his voice a low growl. "You can call me [NPC name], [PC race]. I'm the one who knows how to find the Ebony Mail, the lost armor of the Drow that could make even you a hero. Right now, I'm asking for [Amount of gold] gold for my information - a preposterously low price, but still more than most people in the [tavern name] are able to pay, it seems."

Negotiation:

• "I can understand bargain shopping, but you're being ridiculous. I'm going to need a lot more than that."

• "Not a chance, pal. Try again." "I assume that was a joke. Please make me a legitimate offer, [PC race]."

• "What a disappointment. Goodbye then. I'll be at [tavern] for [number of] more days if you change your mind."

• "I've wasted enough time already. You can find me here for [number of] days if you get the money or change your mind. Leave me now."

• "Sorry we couldn't help one another, [PC race]. I'm staying here at [tavern] for [number of] more days, so if there's a change in your courage or your purse size, look me up. Goodbye."

• "Sorry, I can't justify that. [Amount of gold] gold seems fair. What do you think?"

• "You're a good haggler, [PC race]. I'm afraid I can't accept less than [Amount of gold] gold."

• "I understand your position, trying to get the best price you can. Let's say [Amount of gold] gold, shall we?"

New encounter after rejecting the quest:

• The door guard bellows into the rear, "[NPC name]! The [PC race] is back!" [NPC name] emerges from across the room. "You've reconsidered?" he asks. "If you have the [Amount of gold] pieces of gold we originally agreed upon, I'll tell you exactly how one 'might [sic] find the Ebony Mail. Agreed?"

• "Hello again, [PC race]," [NPC name] joins you at the bar. "Good to see it didn't take you long to change your mind about the Ebony Mail. I assume you're ready to pay the [Amount of gold] gold I mentioned before?"

• "I wasn't sure I'd see you again, [PC race]," says [NPC name], coming to the bar at the sound of your voice. "I haven't had any other takers yet, but my offer for sharing the clues to the Ebony Mail stands at [Amount of gold] gold. Is this agreeable?"

Location

• "Exactly what I hoped you'd say. The bad news is you'll have to go to Black Marsh to find the Mail, to a nasty little place called the [Dungeon name]. There lies the map to the spirit-forsaken dungeon holding the Ebony Mail. You'll find that the map points out the place where the Dark Elven goddess Boethiah hid the Mail after she took it from Helath Stormbinder, a warrior she no longer favored. Rather like Kynareth and Morihaus, but that's another story. I will inscribe the location of the [Dungeon name] onto your map of the continent. The map that will lead you to the Ebony Mail lies there. I doubt if Boethiah even cares after all this time, but I'll wish you luck anyhow. Goodbye."