Online:Mariel the Ironhand

Mariel the Ironhand
Location	Ilayas Ruins
Race	Wood Elf	Gender	Female
Health	39,959
Reaction	Friendly

Mariel the Ironhand

Mariel the Ironhand is a wounded Wood Elf found outside the ruins of Ilayas.

Related Quests

• The Storm's Call: Defend the Sphere of Storms from the Sea Vipers.

Quest-Related Events

You will find her looting dead Sea Vipers. She beckons you to join her:

"Come on over. These elves won't loot themselves."

Speaking to her:

"Don't worry, I didn't kill them all. Plenty more up in the ruins, if you're interested in lending a hand.
Seems these Sea Vipers want the sphere for themselves!"

Sphere?

"We use a Sphere of Storms to control the weather and defend our shores. Crushed a few of the Sea Viper's ships before they managed to land.
Now we're waiting on reinforcements. Hope they get here in time to do some good."

We? Where are the other defenders?

"Dead or hiding, doesn't matter. I need to stop the Sea Vipers from breaching the ruins until the Thalmor reinforcements arrive.
They have a sky-key in their camp. It'll let them walk right into the ruins, unless you get it first. Interested?"

I'll get that key.

Asking further questions:

"Search the tents around the ruins. Let's meet at the ruins' entry, straight back from the stone steps."

What is this place?

"It's an Ayleid ruin. The stormwardens use it as a sanctuary for the Sphere of Storms.
Might I say this isn't the best time to be chatting away? The Sea Vipers aren't going to wait on us before getting to the sphere."

Who exactly are you? / Who are you?

"Me, I'm just a soldier. I keep the area secure for the stormwardens. Usually. I left for a bit and came back to see the Sea Vipers tramping over the ruins.
Been a while since I've had some exercise. I arranged my warmest welcome for our invaders."

What is the Sphere of Storms?

"Some magic Ayleid device. The entire ruin was built around focusing its power.
Does a good number with controlling the weather, in the right hands. The stormwardens use it and protect the sphere, and have for centuries."

Who are the stormwardens?

"They're Bosmer who've sworn to protect the sphere. Some say they learned how to use the sphere from the Ayleids themselves.
They use the sphere to defend the coast, tend the forest, stuff like that. Sort of like monks who control lightning."

Collect the Sky-Key and make your way towards the entrance to the ruin.

If you started the quest with Atirr, this will be your first meeting:

"Who are you? Where is Atirr?"

Atirr is running for reinforcements. He asked me to bring you the key.

Otherwise she'll call to you:

Mariel the Ironhand: "Hey! Over here! Behind the roots and corpses!"

She is injured from the fighting:

"Lucky shot from one of those Sea Vipers. Looks like I'll have to postpone those dancing lessons.
Did you find the sky-key?"

Yes, I have it.

Either way...

"At least someone else had some luck. Take the key inside and find the stormwardens. With this last sky-key in their possession, they'll be as safe as torchbugs in amber."

Will you be all right?

"This little gut wound? I've had worse. Once, an enraged hoarvor … but really, this isn't the time for stories.
We'll swap adventures when you come back, eh?"

[Persuade] Any idea what I'll find in the ruins? I'd like to go in prepared.

"Sea Vipers, so get ready for some action. The stormwardens probably sealed themselves off by now.
It's going to be a real puzzle to get in there."

Puzzle? What kind of puzzle?

"It's the first line of defense for the stormwardens.
Look for the constellation tiles. Activate the Tower, Shadow, Lover, and Thief tiles in that order. If you forget, I'm sure you can figure it out by looking around the ruins."

How did the Sea Vipers learn about the sphere?

"I can't be sure, but I suspect Firras is behind this.
He was a stormwarden, but left in a huff about a week ago. I think he was upset about how the others were using the sphere. Rather, how they weren't using it."

Speaking to her again before going inside the ruins:

"At least I'll get a good scar out of this."

Finish things inside the ruin and you'll find Mariel near the wayshrine:

"Back already? How're the other stormwardens? I can hardly wait to give those Sea Vipers a good thrashing."

They've sealed the ruins. No one can get in or out.

"Well. They'll be stuck in there for Y'ffre knows how long. At least the sphere's safe from the Sea Vipers.
The stormwardens won't forget your help. May the storm travel before you, as they say."

After the quest:

"With luck, we'll soon get reinforcements from Velyn Harbor.
Once Cirnean gets out, she'll want some entertainment. And by that, I mean she'll zap some Sea Vipers with lightning"